*Perhaps he's right, Jasra,* said the Doctor, who had followed them into the cockpit. *Kira, I recommend that you limit the number of people who accompany you to meet with Jasra's employer. To large a group would attract suspicion.*

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 05:28 PM

“Group?” Jasra frowned at the Doctor. “She can’t bring a ‘group’ with her,” she said incredulously. “My employer wants to meet with her alone. Besides,” she eyed Kira over, “I sense she’s capable enough to take care of herself. She and I will be fine on our own.”

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 05:33 PM

*What?! She can't go alone!* exclaimed the Doctor. *It's far to dangerous, even for a Jedi. I think that either Atton or Disciple, or possibly even both, should at least escort both of you to wherever it is you'll be meeting your 'employer'.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 05:44 PM

"Or," Kira said, "Perhaps we can each slip in. No one can know they're with me if they don't see them with me."

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 05:48 PM

The Doctor had an idea. *Kira, if I gave you a small tracking device. I could lock onto your signal and take the TARDIS to meet you once you arrive. You would simply activate it when you arrive. I can take anyone - the entire crew with me, if needed,* said the Doctor excitedly. *I could even place it somewhere discreet, such as the hilt of your lightsaber, or perhaps-"
he looked at her hair. *Your lightsbaer could be removed from you. But oerhaps it coul be placed in your hair band.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 05:57 PM

"I knew you were here for a reason." Kira joked, a smile lighting her face, "That would be perfect! Though...I don't think a big blue box materializing out of no where would go over too well with anyone trying to enjoy their drinks..."
"Better as a failsafe." Disciple said, finishing her thought, "Only activate the signal if you need help."

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 06:09 PM

*Yes, an obvious alien artifact fading into existence in the middle of a bar is not something that would go over well on a xenophobic planet. One moment, I'll put together a homing becon,* he said, leaving the cockpit at a run.

Nyssa and Tegan stopped in the main room as the Doctor ran towards the, *Nyssa, Tegan, get back to the TARDIS,* he said quickly. He opened the door and walked through the console room to the hallway, where he turned left. He opened another door, leading into his workshop. Tegab and Nyssa stood bhind him, watching curiously.
*Coaxial tranceiver...* he muttered to himself. *Trilanium power cell....* he grabbed parts from across the table, assembling them with speed and skill. *Now, something to dampen the signal from their detectors... aha! That will do nicely,* he said, grabbing a small device from across the table. He picked up a piece of semi-spherical metal metal, and secured the tracer to it. It looked like a fairly attractive hairpin. *I should really make a pair of these for you two... it might keep you out of trouble...* he muttered. Standing quickly, he returned to the console room, Nyssa and Tegan following. *Stay here, I'll be right back.*
He left the TARDIS, and returned to the cockpit. *If I may see your hairband for a moment, ms. Starr,* he asked polielty.

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 06:15 PM

“All right. I have to admit it’s a good idea to leave someone behind on the ship,” Jasra said, sulkily crossing her arms across her chest. “Someone’s going to have to keep an eye out for scavs trying to dismantle your ship while its docked." She gave Atton a look. "Since ‘fly boy’ seems insistent on landing in the salvager’s quarter.”

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 06:26 PM

"Hey, its the cheapest place around that isn't infested with gizka or some other rodent, alright?" he said, fairly annoyed, "Besides, anyone even throws a glance at the Hawk, I'll have her tri-barrel class A starcruiser blasters on them in the blink of an eye."
"If I may see your hairband for a moment, Ms. Starr."
"That was fast." Kira said, turning to the Doctor. She quickly pulled the band from her hair, allowing it to once again fall over her shoulders. Fixing the blonde locks so that they layed normally, she handed the band over to the Doctor.

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 06:30 PM

*Thank you,* said the Doctor, taking the band from her. He secured the device to the band, and passed it back to her. *You can activate it by twisting the plate to your left - no, sorry, your right,* he corrected himself. *It will also activate if you are exposed to any kind of lethal gas - even a Jedi cannot last forever while breathing hotraletic gas,* he said.
*Atton, Disciple, I suggest you wait on the TARDIS with myself, Nyssa, and Tegan. If Kira and Jasra should encounter any danger, we will have to leave right away. I cannot use the time circuit anymore, but the spacial circuit is still operating.*

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 06:32 PM

Jasra snorted at Atton's comment. “Just like a man to talk about how big his guns are,” Jasra muttered with disgust under her breath. She smiled sweetly, but not genuinely at Atton. “Whatever you say. You’re the pilot.”

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 06:38 PM

"Damn it." he muttered. He never knew that a woman could be so damn frustrating! Well...actually...he cast a glance at the Exile over his shoulder as she murmured a 'thank you' to the Doctor and retied her hair. Maybe he did. "And just like a woman to act as if everything she said was right."
"Alright," he announced, "Grab a seat everyone. We're entering the atmosphere."
As everyone either found a seat or braced themselves against the walls, the ship vibrated and rocked steadily as the freighter pushed through the air and clouds. Within moments, the Hawk had leveled out, the pistons on the landing gear had fired, and the ship lurched to a halt.
"Gentle enough landing for you, princess?" he asked Jasra, "Or could you have done better?"
Hearing what he had said, Kira rolled her eyes. Men.
"Everyone know what they're doing?"

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 06:48 PM

Princess? Jasra thought. Did that yelt rat just call me ‘princess?’ Jasra’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I know what I’m doing.” She rose, and as she passed behind Atton’s chair (being that the Doctor and the Disciple were in the way) she whispered to him, “And you of all people should know that I’m no princess.” She straightened her tunic and checked her blaster. “All right,” she said to Kira. “Let’s go.”

Writer

01-26-2006, 06:50 PM

"I'm following the two of you," Crystal said quietly from the doorway. "Don't worry. I'll keep to myself. Nobody'll know I'm with you, but somebody needs to be there if you need help sooner than it takes to activate that beacon." She shrugged. "Who better to be there than the one who'll know something's wrong slightly before it actually goes wrong?"

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 06:50 PM

((You just love that yelt rat thing, don't you Jasra? :p))

*I will be in the TARDIS, awaiting the signal. If anything goes wrong, K9 and I will be there in a matter of seconds.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 07:07 PM

Atton burried his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes as if he was tired. "Women." he murmured. In reality, he was hiding the slightly red tinge his skin had taken on.
"Well, I guess it would be a smart thing to have another person along." Kira said, nodding to Crystal. "Though you have to be sure to keep as far from us as possible. If you're found out, things could get real sour, real fast."
She turned to the Doctor, "Be sure to be ready with the TARDIS. I don't know when or if I need help, but I'd rather the TARDIS be prepped and ready to go ASAP."
"I think that's everything, Jasra," Kira said, resecuring her saber to the back of her belt, as to keep it hidden, "Lead on."

Writer

01-26-2006, 07:14 PM

"They won't even realize I'm there until you need me," Crystal answered with a smirk.

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 07:21 PM

Tegan was leainging against the TARDIS console, her hands folded in front of her. "What are you doing, Nyssa?" she asked.
Nyssa was sitting on the floor in front of K9, some of the Doctor's tools in front of her.
"Jasra is taking Kira to meet with her employer," she stated matter-of-factly. "The Doctor is going to want to be ready with the TARDIS in case she's runs in to trouble. He'll need K9 if he's going to be able to do anything."
She put down the tool she was holding, and placed the new face plate over K9's circuits. "K9?" she said quietly.
K9's ears began to move, and his tail shifted slightly - then smoke began to escape from his neck joint, and the light that had activated in his eyes went out again.

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 07:26 PM

The stench of depravity and decay hit Jasra squarely in the face as she descended down the ramp with Kira and Crystal. At the end of the ramp, she paused, recalling the unpleasant memories of when she herself had first arrived on this deprived planet. She turned and gave Crystal a look.

Crystal showed no outward signs of being repulsed or disgusted, but Jasra was still slightly suspicious that she still might be able to read her thoughts, even if no one else could. “I’ll try my best to keep my thoughts to the present,” she said aloud to her.

“C’mon,” she said to Kira. “Sig’s Cantina isn’t far, but we’ll have to sneak by Hedra the Hutt’s place to get there. Gamorreans guard the front, Rodians the side route, and the alley around the back….” Jasra sighed. “Last I heard it was mined and was patrolled by an assault droid. Personally, I’d choose the Rodians route, as I’m better with bribes and blasters than mind manipulation and disabling mines takes too long, but I’ll leave it up to you.”

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 07:33 PM

"Urgh," Kira said, "I can't stand the smell of Gammoreans. Or their annoying, oinking language. I vote the Rodian route." she said, "Not to mention, its a lot more fun to play mind games with someone who's at least slightly intelligent."

~*~*~

"Alright, the Hawk's running on her security systems. She'll recognize the homing signal you gave to Kira," Atton said to the Doctor, "But'll turn anyone else into swiss cheese."
"Come," Disciple motioned to them, "Kira could need help at any time. I suggest getting the TARDIS ready."

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 07:34 PM

*Yes, I agree,* said the Doctor, turning around and leaving the cockpit.

He opened the TARDIS door, and saw Nyssa on the floor with a number of his tools out in front of her.
*Nyssa, what are you doing?*
She jumped, not having heard him enter. "Oh. I was trying to fix K9, but I'm not having much luck..."
*Yes, I'm not surprised. He was hit hard by that... whatever it was. He'll most likely need a new neural chip. That's why I had him shut down, to prevent his memory from degrading.*

Writer

01-26-2006, 07:37 PM

Crystal was far enough back that she hadn't physically heard the discussion, but she understood the question and shrugged. To be less obvious, she would take the other road. She communicated as much to both Kira and Jasra mentally.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 07:44 PM

"Is there anything we can do to help?" the Disciple asked, stepping into the odd box, getting a sense of vertigo at the emmense size of the room inside the small box. Atton stepped in behind him, leaning against one of the walls, hands in his pockets. He looked around anxiously, and didn't try and hide how his fingers were itching to wrap themselves around his blasters.

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 07:51 PM

Jasra grinned. “Rodians it is then.”

She led Kira, with Crystal taking a different route nearby, through the twisted corridors of rubble until the Hedra’s place came into view. A flashing sign above the side door welcomed sentients to…

There were six Rodians, all armed with blaster pistols, and two with grenades, guarding the side entrance and the alleyway, and hassling any and all who refused to enter or pay a high toll to pass through.

Jasra looked pensively at Kira. “I know we sort of got off on the wrong foot,” she started, “but do you think you could teach me a bit more about Force mind manipulation? I've never quite been able to master the technique.”

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 07:52 PM

*Actually, there is really nothing to be done now but wait,* said the Doctor. *I have set the coordinates for rematerialisation,*
He pulled a large red lever on his left, and the door closed with a strange buzzing sound.
*And I believe you'll find that your blaster will not work in here, mr. Rand,* he said. *The TARDIS deactivates all weapons inside her.
*Now, I suggest you hold on to something. Dematrialisation can be a little bumpy sometimes.*
He flicked a set of switches, and the humming in the room stopped with a dull thud. The column began to move up and down, and the engine noise (http://www.dwwa.net/dr1/Child/firsttakeoff.wav) once again filled the air.
*I've set the TARDIS to activate the cloister bell when the homing signal is activated,* he said.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 07:54 PM

Kira smiled. "Of course. Though, I'm not sure how much I could tell you at the moment."
She looked to the Rodians they were quickly approaching. "It could be quicker for you to learn by feeling and example. How much do you know already?"

~*~*~

"Er...right..." Atton said, pretending to understand. I think I prefer star ships. No matter how fast or useful this thing is.

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 08:01 PM

Jasra considered for a brief moment. “Well, I can do simple things, like make them hear a sound that they didn’t, or suggesting that they’re hungry when they’re not. But nothing much beyond that.”

Writer

01-26-2006, 08:04 PM

"OO!" one of the Gamorreans called at seeing Crystal. "Betcha Hedra would like this one!"

Crystal eyed the approaching creatures coolly. "You all want to leave me alone," she told them icily. Feelings of fear flooded them and they fled in terror. Crystal smirked and continued.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 08:07 PM

"Hmm...alright. Here, I'll persuade one of the rodians ahead. When I do, be sure to feel for changes in the Force current and pay close attention to the activity on both our minds. Then, it'll be your turn." Kira said. She had always had trouble explaining the Force Persuade, even to Disciple when she first trained him. It was a difficult thing to master, even as an apprentice, but a useful tool nontheless. Turning her sights to Jasra, Kira gently caressed the girl's mind through the Force, giving a descreet wave of her hand. "I think you ought to be nicer to Tegan. She does help us."

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 08:22 PM

Then, it'll be your turn." Kira said.

“All right, I’ll pay attention,” Jasra said, and readied her mind to absorb whatever changes in the Force she could detect from the Exile and the approaching Rodian.

Kira gently caressed the girl's mind through the Force, giving a descreet wave of her hand. "I think you ought to be nicer to Tegan. She does help us."

“Maybe I should apologise to Tegan when we get back,” Jasra heard herself say. “After all, she does help us.” She suddenly frowned and shook her head. “Huh? What?” She looked at Kira, who was sporting a look of innocence. “Hey!” Jasra said accusingly. “That’s not funny!”

3yks

01-26-2006, 08:25 PM

Brax had broke off from the Hawk just prior to it's entering the atmosphere, and he piloted his small ship down into the city. He dropped out as he had on Nar Shadaa, landing ina quit hidden away place.

"I'll need you ready to pick me up quickly." He told his driod, and moved quietly through the place. So Jasra had managed to capture That Exile person it seemed, not to deal with Revan, and all would be well. Revan would likely tag along with the Exile, so he figured he'd beat them all to the punch.

He gave the assault droid in the back the right password, and it directed him through the mines easily, then slipped inside the Den. Taking a seat at a table near the door into the back room, where he knew the Exile would be taken.

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 08:33 PM

Revan awoke from his meditation in the turret station.
He's here.
He climbed down the ladder, through the gravity shift, and into the hallway. He took his lightsaber off of his belt, and headed for the docking ramp. T3-M4 whistled at him as he passed.
"Just stay here, T3," he said. "Guard the Ebon Hawk. I'll be back."

As he walked down the docking ramp, he looked around for any sign of the creature. He didn't see any. Keeping his lightsaber well hidden, he walked towards the main street, passing a group of particularly ugly Duros, who looked like they were having a quiet argument over a package of spice.
One of the Duros pointed at him, and they began to move leisurely towards him. He readied his lightsaber, but gave no sign that he noticed them.
As one of the Duros pulled a blaster and fired, he ignited his lightsaber. The reflected blaster shot hit the shooter square in the chest, sending him falling to the ground. The others ran away, realizing that they had just tried to mug a Jedi.
Deactivating his lightsaber, Revan looked around for the creature again. He noticed a small little cantina with an old luminescant sign on it.
The Den
He's there, he thought to himself. I can sense him.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 08:34 PM

The Exile laughed, "Oh, but it is." she said, "But I wouldn't use it to actually make you do anything you wouldn't want to--"
"Hey! What you doin'?"
The Rodians had finally spotted them.
It's about time. Kira thought, I was beginning to think that they were blind!
"Oh, we're just passing through." she said, flashing a winning smile at the 'lead' rodian. By now, he and the others had formed a line, blocking their path.
"You have to pay to use this road." the leader said, "Five hundred credits."
"Five hundred credits?" Kira asked, shooting Jasra a glance, "Don't you think that's a bit much?"
"Er...yeah, I guess it is a lot, isn't it? Alright, three hundred."
"Give it a shot." she murmured to Jasra, "But nothing too drastic. If it goes wrong, I'd rather not have it come to a fight."

Writer

01-26-2006, 08:39 PM

Crystal continued until she found Sig's Cantina. She glanced around, reassuring herself that Kira and Jasra were still not in sight and went in.

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 08:51 PM

Jasra reached out with the Force to find the Rodian’s mind that Kira had so helpfully guided her to. Like Kira asked, she gave it a shot.

“Three hundred?” Jasra gently waved her hand. ”That’s awfully generous of you to offer to pay us that much for leaving you alone. Especially on your wages. We couldn’t possibly accept anything more than fifty credits.”

The Rodian hesitated. Jasra exchanged an anticipatory look with the Exile.

“All right,” said the Rodian after a moment. “Here’s fifty credits. Now beat it!” He waved his arms for his troop to return to their posts.

“How was that?” Jasra asked Kira.

The Doctor

01-26-2006, 08:52 PM

Revan entered the Cantina. He looked around, masking his thoughts. He moved slowly and quietly, even in the crowded cantina. He spotted the alien in the corner by the door to the back room. Not making eye contact, he went to the bar and ordered a Pilasite Ale. The drink arrived within seconds, and he sat at the bar.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 08:55 PM

"Perfect." Kira said with a smile, "You're a fast learner."
"Hey, what did I say? Get outta here!!!"
"Oh, don't worry, we were just leaving. I know how much you want to go back inside and drink yourself to sleep tonight, so I won't keep you waiting."
"She's right guys, c'mon, let's go."
Kira giggled lightly, "I love the Force."

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 09:41 PM

“I’m beginning to love it as well,” Jasra said, pocketing the credits. “C’mon, let’s get to Sig’s before they figure out what happened. It’s this way.”

Sig’s place wasn’t the most flashy of cantina’s, but it was the safest. At least, from Jasra’s perspective. Two heavily armed Mandalorian bouncers with Kath Hounds stood on either side of the door, ready to refuse entrance to anyone they deemed ‘undesirable’.

One of the bouncers immediately recognised Jasra. “Wondered when you would come back, Jas,” he said, leering at her, then Kira. “People have been asking about you.”

“Erm, she’s…new,” Jasra answered. She gave Kira a look, and shook her head very slightly. “Don’t try persuasion on them, it won’t work, just follow my lead and agree, and I’ll explain when we get inside,” her look said. “Is Sig around?”

“He stepped out for a…bite,” said the first bouncer, giving her a mischievous grin. “But he’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Jasra nodded and led Kira inside. “C’mon,” she said quietly. “The back bar isn’t normally that crowded this time of day. We can wait for Sig there. He acts as my go-between for Togo.”

Jasra led Kira past the main bar, through the Pazaak lounge, and then to the back area…where the dancers were.

ForceFightWMe12

01-26-2006, 09:45 PM

"Well, this is rich." Kira murmured at the whistles and promises of 'good times' from some of the more drunk patrons.
Jasra led her into the dancer's area. "You said that Sig was you go-between for Togo. I thought you said you didn't know the name of your employer?"

JasraLantill

01-26-2006, 10:08 PM

Jasra grinned. “I don’t,” she said. “That’s just what Sig calls him. The story goes that before Sig ran this place, he used to be sort of Togo's… errand boy, so to speak," she explained. "Sig was told ‘to go’ here and ‘to go’ there…so Togo. Sig might know his real name, but Togo is how he refers to him in front of anyone else. Heck, I don't even know if 'he' is really a 'he.' Never met him." She grinned again. "Perhaps we will today though."

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 04:22 PM

"Perhaps we will," Kira agreed, scanning the bar. As promised, there was almost no one there, save a few stragglers and dancers.

The Doctor

01-27-2006, 04:46 PM

((Are Revan and Brax in the same bar as Kira and Jasra? I'm going assume that they are, until told otherwise.))

Revan glanced around the bar again, and his blood froxe - Kira and that Jasra woman had just entered. Cursing himself under his breath, he glanced over at the alien. He wanted to resolve this now, but he couldn't risk screwing up the meeting with Jasra's employer. He stood up, placed a few dozen credits under his half empty glass, and walked towards the side door, ignoring the woman who came up to him and placed arm on his shoulder. Two rodians stood guard at the door, both armed with blasters.
"What do you want?" one of them snapped as Revan approached. He waved his hand subtly, reaching out with the Force.
"You don't care about my business."
"Bah, I don't give a yelt rat's behind what you're doing." said the guard dismissively.
"You'll let me pass."
"Get out of here!" the guard continued, throwing open the door. Revan walked through it into the cold evening air of Taris.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 07:40 PM

“Jasss-ra!” Sig had appeared seemingly out of nowhere from behind the bar.

Jasra frowned at him. There was something about the Devaronian that was always a bit disconcerting. “Sig,” she greeted him coolly. “I need to see Togo. I’ve got his…” She flicked her eyes towards Kira. “His goods,” she decided on saying.

Sig carefully eyed Kira. “That’sss her?” He snorted.

Jasra nodded. “So, where can I find him?”

Sig smiled, or maybe it was a snarl. It was hard for Jasra to tell with Sig’s mouthful of pointed teeth.

“This way,” he said, beckoning her by curling a long-nailed finger.

Jasra and Kira followed Sig to a door that led to a back room behind the bar. Jasra had always known the room was there, but she had never ventured into what Sig called ‘the inner sanctum’. She inhaled with trepidation.

The room was nothing special. Well, there were the two assault droids on either end. And the control switches for a force shield on the wall. And, was that the hint of a trap door underneath the….

“Have a seat,” Sig said smoothly to the women. “Togo will join you momentarily.”

Sig left and the door shut with a resoundingly secure thud. No sooner than it had shut, the force shield came on, surrounding the visible exits with a hazy blue shimmer.

Jasra felt for her Master’s lightsaber she kept tucked in her boot. She only used it for ‘special’ occasions. And she had a feeling that one was just around the corner.

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 07:46 PM

"Well, that was definatly reassuring." Kira said sarcastically, eyeing the now locked door pointedly. Wait, sarcasm? Atton was getting to her.
She gazed around the room, locating possible escape routes. Of course, the doors were thick, locked, and forcefielded, and the walls seemed to be made of starship-grade durasteel. No windows, either. That was always comforting.
"And I think I'd rather remain standing." she murmured, seeing the slight depression and gap beneath the chair.

Writer

01-27-2006, 07:46 PM

Crystal watched with pretended disinterest as Kira and Jasra were taken out of sight. She looked away slightly disturbed. She reached out and felt for Jasra's mind. Finding it, she mentally spoke to her.

What happened? I can't see you guys any more.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 08:02 PM

“We’re in Sig’s inner sanctum,” Jasra replied to Crystal. “But don’t worry. We’re all right for the moment.”

The lights dimmed.

“I think.”

A large panel opened up in the ceiling, directly above the table in the middle of the room. A pulsating mechanical hum started up, and a black floating, spherical, medium-sized droid lowered itself into the room to hover over the table. Jasra thought she heard Kira gasp.

The droid’s center eye ‘eye’ glowed as a pale blue hologram of a man was projected into one of the chairs. “Greetings, Exile,” said the hologram. “I am Togo.”

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 08:07 PM

As the black spherical droid lowered itself into the room, Kira caught her breath. She... she knew that droid! A hologram projected from the droid's large, red eye.
"Greetings, Exile." it said, "I am Togo."
"Togo? Or would rather be called G0-T0?" she breathed.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 08:23 PM

“GO-TO?” The droid hummed silently for a moment. “Ah. Yes. My predecessor.” More humming and clicking. “I should have calculated the probability that you would have uncovered his true identity. I am his ‘backup’ copy, if you will. The order and maintenance of the Galaxy was far too important for him not to make one. You understand, of course?”

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 08:41 PM

"Hmm." Kira mumured, folding her arms into the sleeves of her Jedi robes. This was a different Exile from the one Jasra had met on the Ebon Hawk. No more playing around. Kira was ready. "I understand that you've sent out several bounty hunters after me, including Jasra. You're acting almost exactly the same as your...'copy' did. I hope you didn't drag me out here to ask the same thing as G0-T0."

3yks

01-27-2006, 08:50 PM

Brax didn't notice Revan right away, but he saw Jasra and the Exile, frowning deeply. Sig, the bar's owner led them off thoguh, he glanced around, and saw what would have become a confrenation if Revan hand't used force powers. Which also meant he saw Revan. Brax pushed up from his seat, "Charge my tab," He told the watiress as he moved past her, his pale blue skin almost sheened in the dark lighting of the bar. His grey hair was tied back into a thick cord, and his claws flexed with anticipation.

"It is time, Revan, it is time for you to die." he whispered, as he moved toward the door, nearly bumping into crystal as he spoke. His soft words faintly heard by her. Then he was moving faster, ducking through the crowd, and then out the door that revan had exited.

"REVAN!" He called, his clawed gauntlets taking on a faint red glow. "I know you are here. Face me."

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 09:14 PM

“On the contrary,” said Togo. “I brought you here to….”

“A droid?” Jasra interrupted incredulously. “I was working for a…for a stupid droid?!”

“I am a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence capable of functioning in a complex and multi-tasking manner well beyond the capacity of any organic.”

“Still…you’re a droid!” Jasra said with obvious chagrin.

Togo shut the hologram off. “There is once again a threat to the Galaxy, Exile,” Togo said to Kira. “A threat that only you can counter. I did not send other bounty hunters to find you. But there are… others who are looking for you for much the same reason.”

A small arm extended from the droid. A panel on the front popped open, and the arm retrieved an irregularly shaped golden-coloured crystal. The arm set the crystal down on the table in front of Kira. “Do you know what this is?” Togo asked her.

Jasra viewed the crystal with interest. She didn’t know what it was, but she could feel the pulse of Dark power within it.

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 09:22 PM

Kira peered at the crystal, shivering at the smothering, dark aura that was eminating from the tiny crystal. She had only come across a sample of these once before...
"Why have you brought it here?" she asked in obvious disgust.

Writer

01-27-2006, 09:28 PM

Crystal was getting slightly worried. It had been a while and she had not detected any other life forms entering the place where Kira and Jasra were. Then, she frowned as she brought to the surface something she'd been trying to ignore; machine transmissions.

"Oh..." she murmured. Though she could not read droids, she suddenly understood that this droid was Jasra's 'employer'. Great, she thought to herself. Then, she shrugged. At least she'd be able to tell by Kira and Jasra if something went wrong.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 09:48 PM

“Ah, so you recognise it. Good.” More clicks and hums. “I see that my calculations were correct in predicting that you may have come across such a rarity as a Gayat Crystal in your wanderings. But this is not an ordinary Gayat Crystal. It is one of the five shards of the ‘Key to the Galaxy.’ If the shards are rejoined, the Key has the power to regulate the harmonics of every living thing in the Galaxy. I’m sure you will agree that in the wrong hands, the power of the Key could be devastating.”

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 09:57 PM

"And let me guess. Some power-hungry psycho is collecting them, right?" Kira asked. She could guess where this was going. "What needs to be done?"

3yks

01-27-2006, 09:58 PM

(Crystal did you miss overhearing brax on my post?)

Writer

01-27-2006, 09:59 PM

Still slightly nervous, Crystal began monitoring both Jasra's and Kira's minds. If anything happened, she'd realize it as quickly as they would. Kira's hands would just barely be activating the beacon by the time Crystal arrived to help. She waited, completely tense, ready to move the second she was needed.

((You said Brax was already out the door and Crystal's pretty focused on what's happening around Kira and Jasra, so I figured she wouldn't have heard or paid any attention to him.))

3yks

01-27-2006, 10:04 PM

(Kay, just checking.)

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 10:32 PM

“Your task, Exile," said Togo, "will be to find the remaining shards to keep them out of the hands of … ‘undesirables’ intent on reforming the Key and using its power for their own selfish purposes. You, Exile, having once been severed from the Force as the shards have been from the Key, have the unique ability to sense the location of the other shards. Once you tune yourself to this crystal, you will be able to find the next shard—the next piece of the puzzle, to use a cliché. You will bring the shards here to me. Being as I am not affected by the Living Force, I will be unaffected by the Key’s power and will be able to destroy it. Only then will the Galaxy be safe from destruction.” More humming. “Although, the probability that you will succeed is… slim. As I said, there are ‘others’ who wish to harness your ability to locate the shards and use the crystal’s indomitable power for themselves.”

“Why can’t the shards be destroyed individually?” asked Jasra. “Seems to me if you destroy one, you’d eliminate the possibility of having the Key ever being whole again.”

More hums and clicks. “The molecular structure of the Key is directly related to the Force. Only when the shards are reunited and re-tuned with one another could you contemplate the Key’s destruction. Although…” More humming. “Please feel free to attempt such a futile task.”

Jasra accepted the challenge. She drew out her Master’s lightsaber and ignited it. She laid the blade on top of the golden hued crystal. It began to glow, then…

“What the…?” Jasra’s lightsaber began to sputter, then it abruptly shut down completely. “Aw, crap!”

“So, Exile,” said Togo, ignoring Jasra’s display. “Will you accept this task? If so, take the crystal in your hand. Tune yourself to its harmonics. I believe you will find it quite cool, despite the clumsy attempts of Miss Lantill.”

Writer

01-27-2006, 10:39 PM

Crystal's head turned sharply and she contacted Jasra.

Just a warning; many of your thoughts are concealed, but your emotions are still leaking... and they're dragging bits and pieces of other information with them.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 10:43 PM

Jasra sent a thought back to Crystal.

”Things are getting pretty weird in here. The power in my lightsaber was just… 'eaten' by some sort of odd crystal.”

Writer

01-27-2006, 10:46 PM

Crystal couldn't help but make a face at that. It was quickly masked and she began to consider Jasra's words.

I felt Kira recognizing something... the crystal? What is it?

Her words conveyed curiosity and worry.

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 10:49 PM

Kira looked with surprise as Jasra pulled a saber from her boot and tried to slice the crystal in half...to no avail. The lightsaber's blade went out like a lightbulb.
“So, Exile,” said Togo, “Will you accept this task? If so, take the crystal in your hand. Tune yourself to its harmonics. I believe you will find it quite cool, despite the clumsy attempts of Miss Lantill.”
She looked between T0-G0, and the crystal, her gaze fixating on the pulsating shard. She tentitavly reached out her hand, brushing a finger over its surface. Immediatly, a surge of power went flying up her arm, jolting her to full alertness. Her senses were on fire...and it felt great. She needed to feel it again, and so scooped the shard into her hand, feeling the power surge through her again. She also felt several more blips of power just like it, dancing on the edge of her senses. She sneered at T0-G0. "Why should I bring them back to you?" she murmured. "I'm wise-up to your plan. You'll have me run around the galaxy, collecting these things only to return them to you so you could use it for your own greeds." she narrowed her eyes, "How about I just keep this one? No one can complete the 'puzzle' without the last 'piece'."

The Doctor

01-27-2006, 10:58 PM

((Changed a few things, huh Jasra? Weren't there supposed to be 6 pieces in total? Meh, I guess it really doesn't matter. I forget what we discussed.... does the Doctor know about the key? I didn't think so, but I just want to double check.))

Revan heard his name called. He ignited his lightsaber and turned. There was the beast, it's claws glowing slightly.
"I am ready for you," he called back. He raised his lightsaber into a defensive position.

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 11:06 PM

”The droid called it a Gayat crystal,” Jasra replied to Crystal. “But not just any Gayat crystal. It’s like THE Gayat crystal. The Key to the Galaxy. Ever heard of…” Jasra swallowed hard as she felt the change in Kira. ”Uh-oh. Something’s not right here.”

~~~~~

Togo hummed rhythmically. “I detect a change in your brain wave patterns, Exile. Good. This means that you are attuning yourself to the shard’s harmonics. But you are an organic, susceptible to emotions and desires. And this is exactly why I have initiated such extreme security measures. I think you will find it impossible to leave this room with that particular shard in hand. The Force Barrier within this chamber is also tuned to its harmonics. It will remain in this room, even if you attempted to extract it with a matter transporter.”

“Erm…maybe you should just let him have it,” Jasra suggested quietly to Kira, sensing that something wasn’t quite right with her. “After all, we can always come back for it later.” She frowned with uncertainty. “Right?”

”Erm… Crystal? Is Kira the only one that can activate that beacon thing?"

Writer

01-27-2006, 11:14 PM

Crystal stood slowly. I don't think so... I feel her change too...

She contacted Kira. What the hell do you think you're doing? Settle down!

Even as she said this, she began moving.

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 11:15 PM

Kira's eyes flashed dangerously. "Bastard." she murmured. "How could a stupid droid like you possibly hope to protect something like this? Especially with everyone who is supposedly after it. It would be safest with me."
“Erm…maybe you should just let him have it,” Jasra suggested quietly, “After all, we can always come back for it later. Right?”
The Exile snarled. "He'll have taken it and hidden it by then. Either that or it'd be stolen. Besides, if I'm the only one who can sense them, wouldn't I be the person who would have the rightful possession of at least the first shard of the Shikon no tama?"

The Doctor

01-27-2006, 11:16 PM

The Doctor sat on the floor of the TARDIS, his eyes closed, sweat pouring down his forehead. He was muttering something in some strange language.
*Humratay Hublrayvu, Humratay Hublrayvu, Humratay Hublrayvu....*
"Doctor? What are you doing?" asked Tegan.
*I'm trying to reach Crystal... find out what's going on... Humratay Hublrayvu...*

Crystal.... can you hear me....?

*Unfortunately.... my mental abilities are a little bit.... rusty....* he said slowly. *I'm not sure... if she'll hear me....*

JasraLantill

01-27-2006, 11:23 PM

"Shikon no tama?" Jasra frowned. Oh dear, she's speaking in tongues. This is worse than I thought. Crystal, what should I do? "Erm...Kira? You're scaring me. A lot. Just...just put it down, yeah?"

ForceFightWMe12

01-27-2006, 11:34 PM

"Put it down?" the Exile laughed, "If only you felt this power, Jasra!" she said, clutching the crystal even tighter. After a moment, she opened her palm again, gazing at the shard. "Who would have thought? Such a tiny thing could have such a great effect!"

Writer

01-27-2006, 11:52 PM

Crystal felt the Doctor contacting and responded. Get in here... something's gone wrong.

Then, she tried again to contact Kira. You've lost control, Kira. Have you forgotten who and what you are? I'm coming to you. Now.

She pushed through the first door, stopping only long enough to change the thoughts of any guards around, frightening them out of their minds and out of her way.

((My plan is to have Crystal take the crystal from Kira. It'll affect her differently... and permanently.))

The Doctor

01-27-2006, 11:57 PM

The Doctor opened his eyes suddenly, and almost fell over in his haste to stand.
*Crystal needs us. Now. I'm setting the coordinates so we can rematerialise as close to her as possible. I can't get an exact location, but we should be alright...*
He began flicking more switches, and the column began to move again.

The TARDIS' engines (http://www.dwwa.net/dr3/Claws/longlanding.wav) began to sound in the cantina, and the tall blue box faded into existence just next to where Crystal had been sitting. Many of the patrons drew their blasters, and a few of the dancers screamed. The door opened, and the Doctor ran out, followed by Tegan, Nyssa, Atton and Disciple, the latter two with their weapons ready ((That alright, FFWM?)). The patrons who had drawn their weapons hid them, noticing the lightsaber held by one of the newcomers. The Doctor ran up to the door where Crystal stood. *What's wrong?*

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 12:06 AM

While Kira stared reflectively at the shard in her hand, Jasra saw her opportunity. She lunged towards the Exile, hoping to get at the beacon control the Doctor had put in her hairband. Unfortunately, Kira took her sudden advance as an attempt to steal the shard.

And while Jasra struggled with Kira, Togo’s lasers targeted the Exile. They fired, five quick, short, stun bursts. Unprepared for the sudden attack, the Exile fell to the floor, unconscious. The crystal dropped from her hand and skidded across the durasteel floor.

“Silly organics,” said Togo, rising to hover just above Jasra, who was hunched over the unconscious Exile in a protective manner. “I think our friend has decided to take up my offer, Jasra Lantill,” said Togo. “Now that she has felt the power of the crystal, her desire to possess the other shards will be irresistible. She will find them, and she will return here for the last piece. And as for you….” One of the droids mechanical arms suddenly shot out, injecting something into Jasra’s arm.

“Ow!” Jasra said, rubbing her arm.

“You will accompany her. If only to have that implant removed when your task is completed. And please do not be foolish enough to attempt its removal on your own. The consequences would be… painful and quite likely fatal.”

Jasra scowled. “Why me? Why not use one of her crew or one of the passengers to keep track of her?”

“Because you are dispensible,” Togo said. “Make no mistake, if you fail, I have several other ‘candidates’ at my disposal. And now, I believe it is time for you to depart.”

Jasra felt the floor begin to move. “Oh, you mechanised son-of-a….”

The durasteel floor, except for the area that they had been mistakenly assumed was a trap door, suddenly tilted strangely, sending them towards the door and the crystal towards the other end of the room. The Force field lifted, the door opened, and Jasra and Kira both tumbled out into the area behind the bar.

Jasra stared deadpan at the Doctor and crew in front of her. Then she felt for the beacon on Kira's hairband and pressed the button.

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:10 AM

*It's a little late for that now, Ms. Lantill,* said the Doctor. *Come on, to the TARDIS. I don't think the locals are very impressed with us at the moment. Come!* and with that, he turned around and ran to the TARDIS, holding the door open.

Writer

01-28-2006, 12:13 AM

Acting on instinct, Crystal lunged forward into the room, chasing the crystal. She wasn't sure why, but she felt compelled to chase it down. She slid after it and reached for it... and her fingers closed around it. Then, she was hidden from view.

Only a few seconds later, Crystal came flying back, unconscious and empty-handed.

3yks

01-28-2006, 12:15 AM

Brax gave no word of acknowledgement. He had what he wanted, and lept ... his knees bent, then sprung forward. He cleared the fairly decent distance between the two of them with ease, his clawed gauntlets coming down in a rapid slash at Revan's head and face.

(If he blocks the blow, the gauntlets act as lightsabers for parrying and the like, feel free to have a little control of Brax if that makes it go faster.)

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:27 AM

((ok, I'll take a little bit of control, but not over any dialogue. I'm told I'm fairly decent at writing fight scenes, so if it's bad..... blame Jasra :xp: ))

Revan parried the blow, then twisted his lightsaber away from the thing's claws. He swung around, trying to cut through them, but they simply collided and sparked - they were far to strong. He jumped backwards as an attack came at his head. He landed on top of a table, sending the glasses falling to the ground, spilling their contents on the poor patrons who had been sitting at the table. He jumped again as an attack came at his knees. He flipped forward and landed behind the creature, and swung at it's back. He managed to pierce it's thick skin, but nothing more. The wound oozed a strange colour blood, but was to shallow to do any lasting damage. The beast turned and lunged, it's claws glowing with a blood red light. Revan barely got out of the way, the sharp claws tearing into his tunic. Three bloody scratches formed on his now partially expsed chest, but he ignored the pain ((what kind of fight scene is it if someone doesn't lose their shirt?)). He parried another attack, then made one of his own. The two combatants swung at each other, ignoring the fleeing cantina patrons and employees in their way.
Revan heard the Doctor calling to the others. He spared a glance over to the - what did he call it? The TARDIS? - and saw that they were almost there. Would the Doctor wait for him? He used the Force to push the beast back, then had to try again with more power behind it for it to be effective. The creature stumbled back slightly, giving him the chance he needed. He swung out with his lightsaber one last time, missing, then turned and ran towards the Doctor.
"Doctor!" he called, just to make sure that he knew he was there.
Doctor? though Brax. I killed the Doctor! What in blazes....?
He began to chase Revan. A group of bounty hunters bravely stood in his path, probably hoping that the Jedi would reward them later. Brax lashed out with his claws, and the bounty hunters fell to the ground, ugly gashes in their throats. He looked up - the bounty hunters had detered him long enough. Revan was gone.

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 12:43 AM

Kira was slowly coming around, as Crystal, was suddenly ejected from the room, falling in a heap near Jasra. Jasra stared dumbfoundly at her, then Kira, then at the Doctor. “I think Crystal’s just stunned,” she said to him. “Like Kira." As the Doctor ran back to the TARDIS to hold open the door, Jasra glared at Tegan standing nearby. "Well, just don't stand there looking like a Bantha caught in a spotlight," Jasra snapped. "Help me get them up!"

Writer

01-28-2006, 12:50 AM

Crystal's eyes fluttered open. "What's going on."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:51 AM

"No need to get your knickers in a bunch!" retorted Tegan, grabbing Kira under the arm and hauling her up. She stumbled towards the TARDIS, where the Doctor was holding the door open.
Revan came up to her. "I'll take her, you go help with Crystal!" he said, lifting Kira clear of the floor and running into the TARDIS with her.
Tegan turned around and ran over to Crystal, helping Jasra lift her. Together, they stumbled towards the TARDIS, Atton and Disciple giving them cover from any trigger happy rodians in the cantina.
She looked at Crystal as she heard her speak. "What's going on?"
"It's alright, we're heading back to the TARDIS. Hold on!"

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 01:03 AM

As she and Tegan carried Crystal to the TARDIS, Jasra suddenly felt something… familiar. And Dark.

No sooner than Crystal was safely inside, Jasra wheeled around and shot out the door, running past Revan as he entered with Kira.

“I’ll meet you at the ship!” she called over her shoulder as the TARDIS disappeared.

One of the injured bounty hunters from the aftermath of the battle with Brax, was still clutching his Force Pike. Jasra grinned. It was her favourite weapon. And as she had left her own Force Pike in her burning ship….

“Mind if I borrow this?” she asked the bounty hunter as he clutched at his bleeding throat. He gurgled. “Thanks,” she said in reply. The man slowly sank to the floor.

Jasra gave the pike a quick, graceful flourish and readied herself to face off with…

What the heck is that thing anyway?

“You,” she said challengingly to Brax. “You were on the Ebon Hawk. You’ve been stalking it. Why?”

3yks

01-28-2006, 01:07 AM

Brax yowled, there was not much else to consider it ... a bestial scream as the Tardis disapeared. His eyes filled with rage, they grey color turning yellow and red with his hatred. Then they locked on the other one, Jasra.

"Why?" He repeated her question, his eyes were pure evil as he stared at her. His clawed gauntlets flexed. "Because Revan deserves death. Pure and simply. I will take his heart and feast upon it. He forfeit his life to my people when he murdered our leader." Brax bent his knees a bit, getting ready to pounce.

The back of his mind itched with something ... a presence he had felt.

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 01:31 AM

“So you’re not after the Exile? Only Revan?” She slowly began to circle him, eyes never leaving his, readying herself for an attack.

She wanted to occupy him long enough for the occupants of the Ebon Hawk to get settled and ready for take off. And, of course, there was always the possibility of learning a new Force trick from him. She’d learned a few from Sith before during battles. They seemed more than willing to teach her if she proved her worth, even if she ended up yielding to them at the end.

“Ha! I find that hard to believe.” She adjusted her grip on her pike. “I can feel your Darkness. Tell me, what kind of leader was he? Was he Dark like you as well?” She grinned. “If so, he probably deserved death,” she taunted.

3yks

01-28-2006, 01:41 AM

"Foolish Jedi," He hissed the words, "You think it's all black and white? It's not. You block off your emotions, you spend your lives emerging yourself in not being a part of the force. You will never understand the force if you don't let your emotions guide you. Hate, fear, anger, they are emotions yes, but so is love, happiness, and friendship. Where you see darkness, I see balance."

His claws scraped across a wall, digging deep furrows into it. "I was paid to find the exile, but you did tht job. Togo just wanted it done, he didn't care who did it." His eyes were fading in color a bit, the cool grey of them returning.

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 01:44 AM

"I'm not a Jedi." She eyed him critically, watching for any hints of his next move. "Balance, huh? So...." She flourished her pike. "Teach me."

3yks

01-28-2006, 02:04 AM

"You move like one."

He considered her quietly for a few moments. "Teach you? So that you will be stronger? So that you can try to defeat me." He laughed, "Instead I will kill you, and in your death, as you become one with the force, you will learn." He shot forward, grabbing for the forec pike as his other claw slashed at her stomach.

Writer

01-28-2006, 02:09 AM

Crystal's senses gradually returned and she realized that Jasra was not with them.

Jasra? She closed her eyes and tried to expand her thought bubble, but her eyes shot suddenly open. What was that?

"Wha..." she murmured. Then, she shook herself free from Tegan, who was still steadying her and ran from the TARDIS... and found herself in the Ebon Hawk.

"Oh, no, no, no!" she murmured and hurried out. Slowly, changes began to appear. Crystal's hair lightened to a dark blonde and her eyes darkened to a deep blue. But Crystal was oblivious to the changes, completely focused on getting to Jasra. And that's when the change became obvious to her.

Someone was in her way. With an angry thought, she brushed him away, no hand movements or anything. A second stood in her way and she leapt over him without a second thought... but her feet never regained contact with the ground. She continued gliding overhead, but when she realized what was happening, she gasped and dropped to her feet.

"Ip vzhe pane og amm vzhipt tadsef!" she murmured to herself. Then, she shook it off, deciding that finding Jasra was more important. A flash of Jasra fighting some strange creature flew through her mind.

"No!" she screamed. And then, she was there... not far from where Jasra stood, watcing the strange creature take his first swing. She drew her lightsaber.

"She doesn't stand alone," Crystal growled angrily.

((Jasra, be a bit puzzled as to who's standing up for you... she doesn't look much like the Crystal Jasra remembers.))

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 02:15 AM

The Doctor watched as Crystal began changing in front of his eyes. No, he thought to himself. No, she can't be a Time Lord!
He watched as she moved frantically around the TARDIS. She pushed him out of her way, then dissapeared in to thin air.

3yks

01-28-2006, 02:19 AM

Brax grabbed Crystal's lightsaber, by the blade. It was in all likelyhood the strangest thing anyone in the bar had ever seen. But he grabbed it like one would grab a steel pole, as if the blade was not burning hot light. He squeezed, and the blade flickered, and then sputtered out.

"Toys." He said with a smirk, and then he turned ... and ran, his claws tore through the door, and he vanished even before he should have. His mind disapeared even to crystal ash e pulled his force cloack around himself.

(His gloves are Cortosis weave, and force attuned. the lightsaber will work again, it just died for a few moments)

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 02:27 AM

Being a dancer, Jasra’s reactions had been quick and her body very flexible. As Brax had attacked, she had arched her back, retracting her midsection as his claws caught the edge of her tunic, leaving only scratches. Then instead of backing away from him as he seemed to expect, she had moved forward, using the end of the pike to catapult over him as he had lunged for her. Momentarily satisfied with her success at repelling his attack, she had suddenly began to have doubts. Perhaps he had just been toying with her. His claws and gauntlets were formidable. Still, she readied herself for another attack.

Then, suddenly, there was a Jedi standing there beside her, lightsaber brandished in challenge to Brax. Jasra's mouth hung open.

Writer

01-28-2006, 02:36 AM

((This saber isn't an average saber... the gem within is rare and nobody knows where to find it... Crystal has the only one known to be in existence large enough to use in a saber. It'll be on in a few seconds.))

Crystal muttered something unintelligible and pressed a button on the side of her saber twice. The third time she pressed it, the saber flickered back to life.

"He'll regret that," she told Jasra. "You just wait and see."

In the artificial light of the cantina, Crystal's blade glowed a purplish-red. The door opened and the saber flickered hazy green for a second. Then, the door closed and the other color returned. Crystal turned a knob near the top of the saber and nodded.

"That should do it," she told Jasra. "Now he'll not be able to short it out. I've made it stronger. Don't much like to do that... I like to give a fair fight, but if he can do that, it's not much fair, is it?"

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 02:43 AM

Jasra couldn't help but to continue to stare at the unfamiliar woman with the unusual lightsaber who had probably just saved her life. Well, not totally unfamiliar. She resembled her former Master, Kelva. But Kelva was dead, right? This couldn't be her. Kelva was taller, wasn't she? And Kelva's nose was slightly wider. And her chin more rounded. Still, this woman looked like she could be Kelva's sister. "Wha...huh?" was all Jasra could say in response. "Erm..not. Fair. Right."

Jasra nodded, and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Finally, something did. And it came out like an uncontrollable flood.

"Well, yeah! I'd say something is wrong! Who the heck are you? Where did you come from? And what kind of lightsaber is that? And what kind of creature was that? Where did he go? And how did he disable a saber blade? And....?"

Writer

01-28-2006, 03:02 AM

Crystal looked slightly surprised. Then, she laughed.

"Who am I?" she echoed. "As for how I got here so fast, I surprised myself... just 'poof'! And here I am. My lightsaber has a one of a kind gem inside, one that creates a much stronger blade. If I choose, and I usually do, I can slip a second crystal, sort of a dilluting crystal into place between the gem and the output."

Then, she looked around. "But as for that creature, I've never seen anything like it in my life. He disabled the blade by squeezing... apparrently he can catch a blade. And now I've lost him... I don't sense him anywhere."

Still noting confusion on Jasra's face, Crystal stopped smiling. "You weren't joking when you asked who I am..."

It wasn't a question and Crystal began to wonder if Jasra had lost her memory... but wait.

"My voice," she murmured. It was definitely different. Panic spread over her face and she turned to Jasra.

"What do I look like?" she demanded. Without waiting for an answer, she pulled at her hair, bringing it around within view of her eyes.

Her appearance was different. Her voice was different. Even her Force signature felt different, but yet the strange language the woman spoke sounded oddly familiar…. “Erm….Crystal?” Jasra said uncertainly. “Is that you?”

A spark of recognition in the woman’s blue eyes told Jasra that she was indeed Crystal.

“Well... how the heck should I know what happened to you?” Jasra blurted. “Last time I saw you, you were lying in an unconscious heap in front of the inner sanctum door! Tegan and I had to drag you into the TARDIS while that creature was attacking Revan. Then the TARDIS vanishes, I pick a fight with that ‘in-balance-with-the-Force’ blue shredder guy to keep him occupied for a while, and just when it looks like I’m about to get myself disembowled, you appear out of nowhere, looking hauntingly similar in appearance to my old master, Kelva, and save me from …!” She paused pensively. “Wait a minute….you went into the inner sanctum,” she said slowly. Then her eyes narrowed slightly. “You touched it, didn’t you?” she said accusingly. “Like Kira did. You touched that Gayat crystal shard, didn’t you!”

She backed up a few cautious steps. She had seen that piece of shiny golden rock change the Exile’s frame of mind from Jedi-like to Sith-like while she had been holding it in her hand. Now, she suspected Crystal had touched it as well, and she had been transformed from a dark-eyed brunette to a blue-eyed blond. Jasra wondered if there was anything else that had changed.

“Erm…maybe we should get back to the Ebon Hawk,” she said with trepidation. “See if Kira is all right and if the others are ready to go.” She looked around at the destruction in the bar caused by Revan’s battle with Brax. Oddly, enough, it didn’t look that much different than when they had come in, apart from a few broken tables and a couple of bloodied bounty-hunter corpses. Of course, Sig wasn’t going to be happy about the mess. Nor would he be happy that most of his patrons had left without paying in their haste to escape the carnage. Sig would be looking for someone to pay, and Jasra could do without being his scapegoat. Especially since Togo had not only failed to pay her for her services thusfar, but now had implanted something in her to blackmail her into working for him for free. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to linger here much longer.”

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 11:22 AM

((The Doctor thinks Crystal is a Time Lord. I know she's not, but the Doctor thinks she is.))

The Doctor stared at where Crystal had disappeared.
"Doctor, are you alright?" asked Nyssa.
*Nyssa, please tell me you saw that as well....*
"Se what, Do-"
*Oh, dear God...* he said. He was panting, and there was a look of terror on his face. *Nyssa, Tegan. We have to leave. Now.*
"LEAVE?!" they yeled in unison.
"But Doctor, Kira needs our help!"
"We can't abandon her!"
*You don't understand!* the Doctor yelled, flicking switches and turning dials. *Crystal.... she......* he couldn't say it. To say it out loud would make it true, make it absolute. *They've found me. Trapping me here wasn't good enough. They've come to...* he let his voice trail off.
"Doctor, do you mean that the Time Lords have sent someone to.... kill you?" asked Tegan tentatively.
*No, Tegan,* he said. *Time Lords do not assasinate. They will take me back to face trial for whatever trumped up charges they have this time, then sentence me.*
"What could they possibly charge you with?" asked Nyssa incredulously. "You've saved the universe dozens of times over, you're the only one to ever defeat the Master, or the Daleks, or the Cybermen. Not to mention-"
*That doesn't matter to them!* he yelled. still flicking switches. *They'll most likely charge me with 'conduct unbecoming a Time Lord,* he said darkly. *A load of Trilo slime, but it will get me convivted.*
He pulled one final lever, and the TARDIS kicked in to action.
"Wait! What about us?!" yelled Revan. "We don't want to travel around with you!"
((I'm going to make Atton threated the Doctor, if that's alright, FFWM?))
Atton pulled his blasters and pointed them at the Doctor. "Take us bac, Doc. Now!"
*I'm sorry, Atton. I will return you, but you must wait until it is safe for me to return.*
The TARDIS began to shake, and the pillar began to smoke.
*No no no no no!* yelled the Doctor. *The time circuit has been locked! I can't leave this time frame!*
"Well we can at least leave this galaxy, can't we?" asked Tegan.
*Yes,* he respomnded. *Perhaps Earth... no, there's a war on. Some meglomaniac named Hitler... under control of the Master....*
"Doctor, look!" yelled Nyssa, pointing at the pillar. The lights on it were flashing randomly and it had stopped moving. With a deep thud, the console went dark.
*NO!* yelled the Doctor. *Those....* he trailed off, leaving the console room in anger, throwing open the door to the rest of the TARDIS.

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 11:48 AM

"Urngh..."
Disciple turned back to where Kira lay on the examination table of the med bay. She was stirring.
"Kira?" he asked tentitivly.
She cracked her eyes open slightly, peering at him. He could see a slight, gold tinge to the edge of her iris, but it was fading rather quickly. "Are you alright?"
She closed her eyes and sighed again. "Depends on what you mean by 'alright'." her head sagged back against the exam table. "He took the crystal, didn't he?"
"Er..." Crystal? What was she talking about?
He was saved a response by Atton, who came wheeling into the room. "Where's Jasra and Crystal??" he asked hurriedly.
"Jasra didn't get in the TARDIS with us. I think Crystal went out to find her."
Disciple replied.
"Damn it!!" Atton yelled. "Well, get ready. We're blasting off this rock as soon as they return." and with that, the Scoundrel was gone.
"So...how are you feeling?" Disciple asked the Exile.
"I was just shot five times. How do you think I feel?" she asked with a half-hearted smile.
He reached out, meaning to place his hand on her forehead to take her temperature, but she caught is wrist.
"I'll be fine." she said, with the same half-hearted smile, "I...I just need to rest a while."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:04 PM

The Doctor threw a glass vial across the laboratory, where it shattered, spilling it sontents all over the floor. He flipped over the table where, and hour ago, he had assembled the tracer. The pieces of metal and circutry cascaded across the floor. He punched the wall, sending a stab of paion up his arm - the wall left undamaged. He collapsed against the wall, sliding down to the ground. He was panting. They've found me, he thought. They've found me. They'll bring me back to Gallifrey, give me a biased trial, then execute me.
He stood. He wouldn't let that happen - who knew what they would do with Nyssa and Tegan? For all he knew, they would execute them, too. He burst into the console room, where Nyssa and Tegan sat next to K9 quietly. He ignored the, duxked under the console, and pulled open the console. He began fiddling with wires, repositioning them and disconnectiong them. The lights on the console came back on. He moved to the next console, and pried it open as well. He pulled out a long pipe, and examined it - it had a small computer screen on the side. The numbers were constantly changing, the combination never remaining the same.
"Doctor?" asked Tegan carefully. "What is that?"
*That, Tegan,* he responded, now surprisingly calm. "Is the time circuit. The combination has been encrypted - there's now ay I can predict what it will be, or how to unencrypt it. We may be forced to stay here.*
"But we can leave this galaxy, can't we?" asked Nyssa.
*No, we can't,* said the Doctor, getting frustrated again. *The long distance capacitor has burnt out,* he said, holding up a piece of circuit board that they hadn't seen him pull out. There were about a dozen ruptured microchips along the side.

Writer

01-28-2006, 12:26 PM

"Hold on to me," Crystal told Jasra. "I sense the Doctor has grown very nervous. We need to get back..."

She muttered something about wishing she knew exactly how much she could do and, in Crystal's words, 'poof'! They reappeared in the TARDIS and observed the Doctor under one of the consoles.

Jasra went in search of Kira. She found her in the med bay, with the Disciple tending over her.

“Is Kira… alright?” Jasra asked him.

She eyed Kira with suspicion, wondering how she would react. She sure had been furious when Jasra had attempted to get at the tracer button set in Kira’s hairband. If it hadn’t been for Togo’s stunning blasts, Jasra felt Kira might even have killed her.

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 12:40 PM

Kira sat up when Jasra entered the med bay, brushing Disciple away softly.
"I'll be fine." she said. Her eyes, which had now fully returned to their normal color, reflected the shame she felt. "He...he took the shard, didn't he?" she asked.
When Jasra answered with a warry nod, Kira sighed. "Look...I'm sorry for what happened back there." the Exile refused to meet Jasra's eyes, and instead chose to stare at the med bay wall, "The shard...I just...it took over me. I couldn't control what I was doing. The only thought on my mind was keeping that shard. The power..." her voice drifted off to nothing, her mind rerunning the scene of her attacking Jasra, and her eyes dropped to the floor, her cheeks tinging slightly red.

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:50 PM

The Doctor jumped, then backed away from her. *Tegan, Nyssa. Would you give us a moment?*
They looked at each other curiously, then left the TARDIS.
THe Doctor looked at Crystal. *Crystal, I am going to ask you a question, I need you to on hundred percent honest with me.*

Writer

01-28-2006, 12:55 PM

Crystal stared at him in confusion. "Of course, Doctor. Ask away."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 12:59 PM

*Are you,* he began. *Or are you not... a enforcment officer sent by the Time Lords. You changed your appearence when your body was in danger. That's a trick of Gallifreyan's only. My TARDIS has been diabled. This cannot be a coincidence.*

Writer

01-28-2006, 01:02 PM

"It is an unintentional similarity," Crystal told him after a long silence. "I... I grabbed that crystal that Kira was having trouble with and... well, it seems to have... changed me."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 01:04 PM

*Then you are not a Time Lady sent by the Time Lord council to return me to Gallifrey?*

Writer

01-28-2006, 01:08 PM

Crystal smiled. "No, I'm not. Just a slightly different telepath... and it rather feels like there might be other things I can do now, but I couldn't be sure unless I tried and I don't exactly want to experiment in any enclosed places for fear of destroying them."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 01:09 PM

The Doctor looked at her warily for another moment, then seemed to relax. *I'm sorry, Crystal. But one can never be to careful when the Time Lords are concerned,* he said. *Now, where is Jasra? Is she alright?*

Writer

01-28-2006, 01:24 PM

"She's fine," Crystal reassured. "I found her just in time. We had a brief tussle with our former stowaway, but managed to get away alright. Jasra's back with us now."

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 01:30 PM

*Alright, we need to get of Taris before it attacks again,* he said, heading for the door. *I'm not in the mood to go through another regeneration at the moment.* He left the TARDIS, heading for the medical bay to check on Kira - and to find out what Jasr'a employer wanted with her. He saw Jasra standing outside the medical bay, and walked up to her.
*What happened?*

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 08:11 PM

”What happened?” asked the Doctor.

“Well…” Jasra paused, looking nervously at the door to the med bay. “First of all, Togo, my employer,” she added with obvious embarrassment, “is a droid. And he’s tasked Kira to find these crystal shards.” She frowned. “Gayat crystal shards,” she continued. “Part of something he called the ‘Key to the Galaxy’. He had one of them there. Kind of a pale gold colour? Very weird. He wants her to find the other four shards and bring them to him to destroy. Then he gave the shard he had to her to hold. Said that she was the only one who could sense where the other shards were and that she needed to ‘tune’ herself to it. But…” she shifted uncomfortably, and lowered her voice. “The shard…it did something to her. Changed her. Made her…well, selfish, power hungry, and dominating. It was sort of scary.” Jasra bit her inner lip. “And he said that now that she had felt the power of the crystal, her desire to possess the other shards would be irresistible. And then he….”

She suddenly forgot what she was going to say next. She knew it was important, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think what it was. “Nevermind. You get the picture, right?”

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 08:34 PM

"I hope everyone's here now," Atton's voice shouted through the inter-hold comm., "Because we're leaving. Now."
Sure enough, before Kira had time to brace herself, the Hawk rocked as the engines whinned and the landing gears groaned. They were airborne, and Atton gunned it a moment after, causing the Exile to flip off the table. Well, she would have, if Disciple hadn't been right there.
"Oof!"
The two Jedi landed in an undignified heap on the ground, Kira laying atop the Disciple.
"Sorry." she muttered, standing.
"Uh, no problem." Disciple said, standing as well. He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't know that bulkheads were so...hard.

3yks

01-28-2006, 08:59 PM

Brax caught them just in time, he'd gotten into his ship at jsut the right moment, and saw the Hawk lifting off. He quickly caught up tot hem. He wouldn't be able to get close enought o ride their hyperspace window this time, but he prepeed a tracker for right before they entere hyperspace.

Writer

01-28-2006, 09:01 PM

Seconds after the rapid takeoff knocked everyone about, Crystal went floating (yes, floating... as in, like there's no gravity) into the cockpit and sat down next to Atton.

"I understand the desire for a quick takeoff," she told him wryly, "but I doubt most of the others were able to adapt to it as I have."

((Remember, she looks and sounds differently now. :) ))

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 09:04 PM

"Yeah, well--" Atton did a double take, "Who the hell are you??" I swear, if we have ANOTHER person on this ship...

Writer

01-28-2006, 09:05 PM

"Settle down," Crystal said soothingly. "It's Crystal... something wierd happened, so I don't look at all like you remember, but it's me."

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 09:06 PM

"Would the weird thing that happened to you be related in anyway to what happened to Kira?" the pilot asked, still a bit wary. She didn't look a thing like Crystal.

Writer

01-28-2006, 09:09 PM

"We touched the same crystal, if that's what you mean," Crystal answered thoughtfully. "Though it seems to have had a worse effect on her than on me... true, the effect it had on me is far more... visible... but I think I'm more or less the same mentally, and mentally is how it seems to have changed Kira."

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 09:15 PM

"Changed?" Atton asked, his face darkening, "What do you mean 'changed'? Is she alright?"

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 09:23 PM

Inside the inner sanctum of Sig’s cantina (or had it always been really Togo’s cantina) Togo extended a long metal arm and retrieved the golden crystal shard from the floor. He had calculated the probablity that he might have to disable the Exile to get the crystal shard back, but he had not calculated that there would be another that wanted it as badly. He had successfully repelled the female intruder, stunning her with his shock arm before ejecting her from the room, however, her appearance added new factors to the equation. The small flap opened up in his chassis and the mechanised arm deposited the crystal securely inside.

Next, Togo rose through the hole in the ceiling to the upper level of the cantina, then eventually the cantina’s roof. The small transceiver tilted towards the salvager’s sector and the landing bays. Linking into the primitive flight control tower’s computers, he scanned the upper atmosphere. And he found what he was looking for.

He adjusted his transmitter to the correct frequency, then spoke.

“I am most disappointed at the state of my facility, Brax. Particularly since you were unsuccessful in obtaining your quarry. However, I believe I still might be able to offer you some assistance in your task in exchange for your services. According to my calculations, the probability that Revan will remain close to the Exile is extremely high. I have given Jasra Lantill one of my ‘special’ implants and instructed her to keep close to the Exile. The implant would allow you to hear and see what Jasra Lantill does, giving you unlimited access to the inner workings of the Ebon Hawk without being seen. I will give you the frequency, if you agree to track the Exile and report her progress to me.”

Writer

01-28-2006, 09:26 PM

"I don't know," Crystal admitted. "Last time I saw her, she was unconscious. Before that, I sensed incredible amounts of greed and anger being projected from her... not at all the woman I met when I first came aboard."

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 09:30 PM

That didn't rest well with Atton. "So you're saying something happened to her when she touched this...crystal?"
At that moment, a proximity alarm went off. "What the--?"
He switched the viewscreen to each the starboard, bow, hull, and port cameras. "Oh not him again." he mummured as he spotted a ship behind him, "Don't tell me that's our stowaway again."

"You're telling me." Atton murmured. He activate the ship's comm. again, "Hang on to your hats everyone!"
He set coordinates into the grid, firing up the hyperdrive. "Time for some random jumping."

JasraLantill

01-28-2006, 10:16 PM

Jasra rubbed her forehead. Bulkhead floors were indeed hard. She was just making her way to the cockpit to chastise Atton about his extreme flying, when she saw Crystal sitting in the navigator’s chair. She paused.

She couldn’t get a grip on Crystal’s new appearance, never mind the fact that Crystal had ‘floated’ past her just a few moments before. Jasra was grateful that Crystal had saved her from the alien, but she was still in disbelief with all that had happened in the last hour. She decided it best to go to the dormitory and get some well-needed rest.

She sat down on the bed. Sig. Togo. Kira. Brax. Crystal. Master Kelva. She tried to calm the raw emotions that so desperately wanted to surface.

Seeing Sig again, the squalor that she had once endured… The crude comments, and leering looks….

And how could she have been so naïve? Working for a droid? A droid!...

And the look in Kira’s eyes when she was holding that shard, and the things she had said…

Jasra shivered.

Then there was Brax, the blue shredder. He had been right about one thing. She had been foolish to try and hold him there on her own. And greedy to learn his Dark secrets…

Crystal had saved her, no doubt. But if Brax hadn’t viewed them as a mere annoyance, the outcome could have been rather different. She had froze when Crystal had suddenly appeared, looking remarkably similar to Master Kelva.

A tear slipped out of the corner of her eye.

Froze when she should have attacked. The very same thing she had done that had distracted Kelva.

She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

And got her killed.

She buried her head in the pillow and began to sob uncontrollably and very un-Jedi like.

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 10:19 PM

((Forget this post, please. It make no sense.))

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 10:29 PM

((OOC: Er...she's gone now, Doc :xp: ))

IC:

Kira left the medical bay, followed by Disciple, and nodded to the Doctor as she proceeded to the cockpit.
"So, where are we headed?" she asked, Atton, glancing at the blue light that had currently filled the viewscreen.
"Manaan, for now. I had to make a random jump; our little friend was still taging along. I dunno about you, but I'm getting really tired of our 'stowaway'."
"Hmm," Kira said in affermation, then glanced to the person sitting in the co-pilot seat before returning her gaze to the entrancing, shimmering blue. She did a double take.
"C-Crystal??" she asked in surprise, "Is that you?"

Writer

01-28-2006, 11:07 PM

Crystal laughed. "Y'know, Kira, you're the first person to actually recognize me without being told who I am."

She nodded. "Yes, it's me."

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 11:15 PM

As Crystal turned to face her, Kira noticed the smallest trace of gold around her iris...and had remembered what her eyes looked like when she stole a glance at herself in a mirror while on the exam table.
"You...you touched the shard, didn't you?"

Writer

01-28-2006, 11:21 PM

Crystal's smile faded and she nodded. "More than touched it... had my hand fully wrapped around the dsaby thing..."

She stood. "It changed us in different ways, though. My change was purely physical while yours seemed to be mental." She fell silent for a moment before asking, "How do you feel now?"

The Scoundrel listened intently to the two's conversation, but refrained from saying anything. He could tell that Kira didn't want to talk by the way her voice sounded. For the moment, he resolved himself to ask Crystal after the Exile had left.

Writer

01-28-2006, 11:30 PM

"Well you were shot with five stun blasts," Crystal offered helpfully. "That's enough to exhaust anyone. Perhaps you'd best get some rest. We can talk more later."

ForceFightWMe12

01-28-2006, 11:42 PM

"How long until we reach Manaan?" Kira asked Atton.
"Not for about half an hour." he said, "And Crystal's right. You've more than enough time to rest."
"Alright, alright," Kira said, a tired smile coming to her lips, "Before all you mother hens start pecking me, I'll be in the dormitory." she said, and left.

"Exactly what happened back at the cantina?" Atton asked Crystal, after making sure Kira was out of ear shot, "And what is this crystal thing?"

The Exile peered at her reflection in the mirror, taking several minutes to study her eyes and make sure that the gold was gone. It was the shard that had done that to her, she was positive. She sighed after a few moments, and stood, taking the band from her hair, the weight of the Doctor's tracer lying heavily in her hand, and again sending her back to earlier that day. She remembered how Jasra had lunged at her. She knew now that the bounty huntress was just trying to activate the tracer's signal, but Kira had seen it as an attempt to take the shard from her...and she had attacked Jasra.
The Exile shook her head, banishing the memories. She continued to undress, taking her cloak off, then her outer robes, before lying down on her bunk, and pulling the covers over her head.
Stop the galaxy, she thought, I want to get off.

Writer

01-28-2006, 11:53 PM

"Kira and Jasra went in," Crystal answered. "Jasra's droid employer came out and showed a shard of something called the 'Key to the Galaxy' to them."

She sighed. "I suppose now's as good a time as any to explain what little I know about it. The Key is powerful enough to regulate the harmonics of all the galaxy's life. Jasra's employer wants Kira to find the other four pieces, as the Key will not work separated. Joined, it has the potential of being very dangerous."

She shrugged. "Anyway, as I know it, Kira took the shard and it, for lack of a better word, changed her. She was consumed by greed and insisted on keeping the shard. In the end, she failed and I think we're all better off for it."

"Kira and Jasra were forced out of the room and I ran in," she went on. "I'm still not sure why, but, I grabbed the shard. Then, I got hit from behind with what I can only assume was a stun beam. I woke up back in the TARDIS, Kira was unconscious, and Jasra was missing. So I ran off to look for Jasra and got there looking like this."

She leaned back in the chair. "Quite a lot of excitement, don't you think?"

The Doctor

01-28-2006, 11:53 PM

The Doctor stepped into the cockpit. *I hear we're on course for Manann?* he said. *Excellent. I allways loved that planet - never had to worry about the Master there, or a Dalek invasion.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 12:00 AM

"More excitement than usual, that's for sure." Atton said, leaning back just as Crystal had done, putting his feet up on the dash. "Come to think of it," he said, a small yawn escaping his lips, "I'm pretty beat too."
"Oh, yeah," Crystal began jokingly, "I'm sure that waiting in the TARDIS all that time took a lot out of you."
"Well yeah, having to listen to the Doc and watch his two...none-too-bad looking assitants run around for an hour or so gets pretty tiring, you know?"
Atton had just closed his eyes...when...
"I hear we're on course for Manann?" the Doctor said, coming into the cockpit. "Excellent. I allways loved that planet - never had to worry about the Master there, or a Dalek invasion."
Atton's eyes opened at once, and he sighed. "Manaan. Yeah. Great place. Uh-huh."

Writer

01-29-2006, 12:02 AM

Crystal made a face at the mention of Manaan, but said nothing.

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 12:21 AM

*Is that a note of sarcasim I hear, mr. Rand?* said the Doctor, smiling. *And stop yawning. You have no reason to be tired. All you did was sit in the TARDIS the whole time.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 12:24 AM

"Well, making sure that the Hawk doesn't crash and burn, plus having to add up all those numbers when I was playing pazzak with Disciple and Tegan--"

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 12:27 AM

*Yes, sitting and counting can both be quiet demanding at times, can't they?* responded the Doctor. *Crystal, I was wondering... Jasra mentioned something about a 'Key to the Galaxy'. What do you know of their conversation with this 'Togo'?*

Writer

01-29-2006, 12:35 AM

"Very little," Crystal answered thoughtfully. "Togo has a shard of the Key and wants Kira to find the rest... I got that just from reading their minds. Past that, I really don't know what they spoke of."

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 12:41 AM

*Yes, that's what Jasra told me...* he said. *Well, perhaps I will speak with Kira when she returns. I'll let her rest for now - she needs it.*

3yks

01-29-2006, 05:20 AM

"Well, there was little I could do to spare your facility Togo," he didn't sound like he cared one way or the other. "You know that killing Revan is my only goal." At about this time Atton was spotting him on the Hawk's radar. So, Brax launched the probe, it shot through space and latched onto the ship. "I would have had him if it wasn't for that ... Doctor character. I have no idea what he is, but he's not a human. I killed him, and he's back now."

But it didn't matter wether his tracer had hit or not, since he could track Jasra directly. "Up until I kill Revan, we have a deal ... after that, I'll probably keep up the deal. I kind of like that errand girl of yours. She has potential, her emotions are very clear ... with some training she would make a very good Zedai."

Brax set a course for Manaan, and closed his eyes, letting his droid finish the jump to Hyperspace. "I'll keep you informed Togo."

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 01:11 PM

Revan sat in the gunner station of the Ebon Hawk. He watched as the small, sleek ship pursued them, and he could sense the beast on board it. He reached out with the Force, trying to learn more about it. All he felt was a powerful hatred and rage directed towards him. He grabbed hold of the wall just in time as the lurched into hyperspace. Judging by the sudden shift, instead of the smooth transition, he knew that the pilot had set a random jump. He stared into the depths of the hyperspace corridor. It was impossible to tell where they were going. He closed his eyes, ket the Jedi code flow through him, and entered deep meditation.

*No, Kira must rest,* said the Doctor. *But perhaps Jasra may be able to answer some of my questions. Computer, lo-* he stopped himself. *I don't suppose you've installed that, have you? Oh, I'll just look for her,* he said, leaving the cockpit.

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 03:29 PM

Jasra had had a good cry in the solitude of the dorm. She was thankful that no one had seen her. She got up, dried her eyes, and went to check herself in the mirror.

She sighed. She looked rough. And she didn’t feel right. She hadn’t touched the crystal, but…

Her left hand went to feel her right upper arm. It was sore. She wasn’t quite sure, but she didn’t think that the ache was caused from her brief battle with Brax, but she couldn't think of how else she would have gotten injured there. She shook her head and sighed again. Suppose it didn’t matter much.

She smoothed her shoulder-length dark hair as best she could, straightened her tunic, and washed her face. Ready to find out what plans had been made for Manaan, she headed out into the main hold.

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 03:55 PM

The Doctor met Jasra part way between the cockpit and the dormitory.
*Ah, Jasra, I was won- are you alright?*

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 04:04 PM

She sniffed, then let out a breath. "Yes. Fine. Is there something you needed, Doctor?"

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 04:06 PM

*Yes, as a matter of fact, there is,* he said. *I need you to tell me all you can about this 'Key to the Galaxy'. I have heard of something similar, and if this is what I think it is, then we are all in grave danger...*

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 04:07 PM

"Alright..." Atton yawned again, "Looks like I won't get much rest here. You alright keeping track of stuff up here?" he asked Crystal. Hardly waiting for a response, he stood and left the cockpit. He continued through the coridors into the dormitory where Kira was already asleep. As he spotted her, he stopped in the doorway and...just watched her. She was peacful, for the most part. Though everyonce in a while she would shiver or her face would screw up, as if having a nightmare.
His sleep forgotten, the Scoundrel was content to simply sit on the ground next to her bunk, and watch the Exile sleep.

~*~*~

The Key to the Galaxy? the Disciple wondered as he cleaned the med bay and took stock of his medical supplies, Why haven't I ever heard of it before? After all my years studying the galaxy...
Having finished his job, the blonde haired Jedi leaned back against the wall, staring into space. After a moment, his knees buckled, and he slid to a sitting position on the floor.
I hope this Shard hasn't harm her permanently...

Writer

01-29-2006, 04:15 PM

Crystal stared after Atton for a moment with an amused smile on her face. When he was definitely out of hearing range, she said quietly to herself, "No, Atton. No, I don't want to stay." Then, she laughed and settled into the pilot's seat and stared out at the only slightly familiar look of hyperspace.

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 04:52 PM

“I really don’t know anything about it,” said Jasra. “Only what Togo told us, and I wouldn’t trust anything he said, even though he is a droid. As far as I recall, what he said to us was that this crystal, once whole, has the power to regulate the harmonics of every living thing in the Galaxy. And…”

She related what Togo had told her and Kira about the crystal in the inner sanctum, what Togo wanted Kira to do, and that there were 'others' after the pieces as well.

“Then," Jasra continued, "Kira got all…weird when she was holding it. I mean, she didn’t want to give it back. Not at all.” Jasra paused. “It was scary, Doctor, that’s all I can say. That shard wasn’t something ‘good.’ Of course, it’s only one piece, so I can’t say what the other shards will be like for Kira. But she’s the only one that’s supposed to be able to ‘feel’ where they are located, so you’ll need to ask her about the other shards when she finds them. But, try not to let her handle them. Best to let a droid do that, in my opinion.”

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 04:56 PM

*Or Tegan, Nyssa, or myself. We are unaffected by the Force,* he said distractedly. *The great void cuts your galaxy off from the living force of the rest of the universe... perhaps that is why the Key was created. Perhaps the guardians...* he trailed off. *Jasra, have you ever heard of and legends that mention a White or Black Guardian?*

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 05:26 PM

Jasra thought a moment. "I... I don't think so. I was only a Padawan learner so there's a lot of things I had yet to study. But..." She bit her lip. "I vaguely recall Master Kelva telling me a story once that mentioned a Guardian of Light and a Guardian of Darkness. But she didn't refer to them as 'white' or 'black'." She considered for a moment, then looked over at the Disciple. "Perhaps you should ask him," she said, nodding to the blonde Jedi. "He seems to be a neverending fountain of knowledge."

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 08:57 PM

*Then perhaps the guardians created this key as well so that ife in this universe could be sustained...* he said, more to himself than anything. *Thank you,* he said.

*Discilpe?* he said, approaching the young Jedi. *Have you ever heard of a White or Black Guradian?*

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 09:18 PM

"The White and Black Guardians?" Disciple repeated, "Not much. There are scattered variations of myths and legends about two great warriors, who some believe to be the first Sith and Jedi, who called themselves the White and Black Guardians. The main legend is of how the two joined together and created the universe."

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 09:46 PM

"That's pretty much the story my master told me," Jasra offered. "Although I don't quite see what this has to do with this crystal the Exile is supposed to find." She shook her head at them. "I'm sure you two can work it out between yourselves."

She headed off quietly to Kira's dormitory.

Kira was still sleeping. Atton was watching over her.

"Why aren't you at the helm? Is she alright?" Jasra asked him in a whisper.

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 09:59 PM

"She's...alright." Atton murmured, "I think. Every once in a while she'll convulse--" and at that moment, Kira shifted, her face screwed up as if in pain, and her hands clutching the sheets in a death-grip.
"No..." the syllable, slipped from her lips in a whisper. Atton stroked her hair from her face, and she laid still again.
"And then she'll be fine." he finished.

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 10:12 PM

"I'm sorry," Jasra said, frowning worriedly as she watched Kira. "For...well, for dragging her into this mess, for one. It was just a job, you know? Better than dancing anyway," she said with some disgust. She took a deep breath. "And," she added slowly, "I'm sorry about something else, too. For not telling you the truth about...that night three years ago."

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 10:20 PM

"Kira chose to go." Atton said quietly, still stroking the Exile's hair, "You didn't drag her into anything."
"I'm sorry about something else, too. For not telling you the truth about..." Jasra said slowly, "...that night three years ago."
Atton's hand stopped immeditatly, his expression darkening as his eyes locked, staring straight ahead. "Look, I don't want to hear it, alright? It's caused me enough trouble already. I just want to forget, you know?"

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 10:27 PM

"That's just it," Jasra said. "There isn't anything to forget." She inhaled. "Nothing happened. I drugged your drink. You passed out on my floor pretty much after you got there. I...." She bit her lip. "I gave you a suggestion through the Force while you were unconscious. I couldn't have done it while you were awake as I wasn't very good with Force Persuasion then. But I did it so you would think something happened. So you wouldn't take the hundred credits back when you woke up." She gave him a weak smile. "I needed the money. I'm sorry."

ForceFightWMe12

01-29-2006, 10:29 PM

"So you spiked my drink, then gave me a notion that something happened that night so that I wouldn't take my money back?" Atton asked, careful to keep his voice down. Then, he did something strange...he laughed. "You know, I don't think I ever would have thought of something like that if I were you. Hell, I wouldn't be able to think up something like that if I tried."

JasraLantill

01-29-2006, 10:36 PM

"So...so you're not angry?" Jasra asked with trepidation. She exhaled with relief. "You know, Atton, beyond the tough exterior and biting comments, you're not so bad for an old guy." She turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. "By the way, why did you choose Manaan to go to? Doesn't the Jedi Council on Dantooine still want to talk to Kira? Isn't that why Karda's here?"

The Doctor

01-29-2006, 11:12 PM

The Doctor looked at Disciple. *The Guardians are not the creators of the universe. They are the self annointed protectors of it. I don't know about their species, but they are the only two I have ever met - though they are rarely the same in appearence each time...
*You see, the Guardians created a Key known as the Key to Time. The holder would have unlimited control over the time matrix. The Black Guardian once tricked me into assembling it for him - it was spread across Time and Space in an effort to prevent it from ever being used. I was able to find all six pieces, and assemble them. Only destroyed it just in time, actually.
*I believe that they also created this Key to the Galaxy, as well.*
((I need to get a certain point across that will vital for later in the story (something that you don't know yet, Jasra), so I'm going to control Disciple for a single line, if that's alright)).
"Why would they do that?" asked Disciple, furrowing his brow.
*It's difficult to explain, and I can only guess, but I beleive it has something to do with the uniqueness of your galaxy.
*You see, your galaxy is surrounded by a... a void, almost 600 million lightyears across. This void, being devoid of life in any form, or even energy, seperates you from the life force of the rest of the universe. You may know this force as... well... the Force. Your galaxy is the only one that has anything like Jedi because, unlike the rest of the universe, the Force is spread throughout a very small area, concentrating itself in places. Or shall I say, people.
*I believe that the Key to the Galaxy may be what allows life in this galaxy to survive. It's like a generator, one that generates power wnough to sustain all life in this galaxy. If it were to be destroyed, all life in this galaxy would cease to exist.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-30-2006, 04:48 PM

"Hey, I'm not much older than you, so I wouldn't be talkin'." Atton murmured, a smile still haunting his face.
"By the way, why did you choose Manaan to go to? Doesn't the Jedi Council on Dantooine still want to talk to Kira? Isn't that why Karda's here?" Jasra asked as she turned to leave.
"Like I said, a random jump. Manaan's coordinates are almost identical, so they're the first pair that popped into my mind. If Kira still wants to go to Dantooine after we complete our jump and loose our little friend, then we can go to Dantooine."

~*~*~

"But what if it is assembled? The holder would have the power to control all of life, if theory is correct. And yet if it is destroyed, all life would die with it?" Disciple cast his gaze downward, the gears in his mind beginning to turn, "So what would be the best solution?" he murmured to himself, "Do we collect the shards, or leave them hidden where they are? If we collect them, what would we do with them? Re-hide them? Keep them? Or reform the Key?"

The Doctor

01-30-2006, 04:55 PM

*I believe we should collect and assemble the shards, but we should proceed with extreme caution,* responded the Doctor. *I think that only Tegan. Nyssa, myself, or one of the droids should actually handle the pieces, judging by the effect it had on Kira. Droids, preferably, as Tegan, Nyssa and I may not be completely impervious to it's effects.
*There is no telling what this Togo has done to ensure that Kira follows his instructions. I fear we have have no choice - for now - but to bring the shards to him to be assembled. Though we should be careful when handing it over - there's no telling if Togo is working for anyone. It could conceivably be a trap set by the Black Guardian, but it's highly unlikely.*

JasraLantill

01-30-2006, 06:37 PM

Jasra shrugged. "Manaan's not my favourite place, and I'd rather not go to Dantooine, but wherever Kira wants to go, I'll go with her. If feel...sort of guilty about what's happened to her. I just want to make sure she's alright." She frowned. "And there's someone else I wanted to check on." She turned and left for the cockpit to see Crystal.

ForceFightWMe12

01-30-2006, 06:42 PM

Kira tossed and turned restlessly in her sleep...flashes of battles, duels with lightsabers flying, screams of pain, her own voice cackling maniacally...
"Kira, listen to me, you have to put the shard away!"
"N-no...Atton...run...p-please..."
"Not without you! C'mon Kira, you can do this! Fight it!"
"Atton...g-GET AWAY FROM ME!"
She felt the strength of a shard flow through her body, and all went black. However, in the void between slumber and wakefulness, Kira caught Atton's yell of pain...
With a shocked yell, Kira woke, breathing heavily. After a moment, her mind registered that she was back in the Ebon Hawk. Realizing that, she relaxed her tensed muscles, catching her breath. After a moment, she kicked her legs over the edge of the bunk, and began to dress, splashing some water over her face afterwards.

Writer

01-30-2006, 06:53 PM

Crystal was still staring out the front of the cockpit when Jasra entered. Without turning, she said, "Hello, Jasra."

JasraLantill

01-30-2006, 07:29 PM

Jasra swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure quite what to say to the ‘new’ Crystal. “Hi,” was all she could come up with. She sat down in the navigator’s seat. A thick moment of silence passed between them, as they each stared out at the surreal vista of hyperspace.

“So,” Jasra started, without looking at her. “What did it feel like? The shard, I mean.”

Writer

01-30-2006, 07:36 PM

Crystal was silent for a long while. When she spoke, her voice was hushed. "I felt a jolt of energy flash through me," she said slowly. "Then... it felt like I was on fire... and after that, I lost consciousness and woke up outside the little room."

JasraLantill

01-30-2006, 07:55 PM

Jasra nodded. "So, how do you feel now?"

Jasra could sense that Crystal was different somehow, but she wasn't sure in what way. And she was still puzzled by why she now looked so similar to her old Master.

Jasra suddenly felt guilty for all of the things she had done in the past six years. It was bad enough that the memories of her old Master had begun to surface recently, but now it was like her Master was right there watching her. And disapproving of her.

RobQel-Droma

01-30-2006, 09:11 PM

(((Argh, I hate my laptop. It won't let me respond to your PM, ForceFight. But anyways, I just got way behind. I'll just do a long post and assume that Karda hasn't been with everybody else, just listening and meditating... er... for a very long time)))

Karda broke in on The Doctor's and The Disciple's conversation. "The black and white Guardians, huh? I've never heard of that legend before. I've never heard about these Keys, either."

*****

Karda had decided to be absent from the rest of the crew during their trips into Taris, helping Bao-Dur out with repairing the ship, and listening to what was happening through Kira's mind, and her meeting with "Togo".

He had also gotten a glimpse of the fight between the strange alien creature, Crystal, and Jasra. The wierd pulse that he felt through the Force caused him to shift his attention to her and the "new" Crystal. It seemed he was after something else, or somebody else other than them.

He had just checked on Kira to make sure he was all right, since he had sensed the change after she grasped the shard. He was worried. This shard might have done something serious to her. And what happened when they found these pieces, and supposedly destroyed it? (If they every did) What would she feel?

Jasra puzzled him. He knew that she must have been Jedi-trained, and had even eavesdropped on her conversation with Crystal a bit; Until Nyssa, or Tegan, had been discovered, and he decided to leave.

He had approached her once with these questions.

"Jasra, could I ask you something. Have you ever been approached by the Jedi before, or learned something about the Force? I can sense it-"

"So? It isn't any of your business, so quit prying into my mind."

At which she left him to meditate. She looked familiar to him, maybe a padawan he had once seen on Dantooine. Regardless, he determined to find out. Perhaps Crystal or the Doctor would know. But for now, he wanted to focus on these Keys, and the mission Togo had sent them all on.

The Doctor

01-30-2006, 09:29 PM

*Ah, Karda, I was wondering where you had got to!* said the Doctor, smiling. *Yes, well, believe me, the Guardians are very important to you and everyone else in this galaxy. They are responsible for your existence - though the Black Guardian most likely wishes to extinguish all of you.*

Kira meditated in the dormitory, trying to find any meaning in the dreams and nightmares she had just recently experienced. What did it all mean? It had something to do with the Key, she knew that...but still...
The sensation of the jewel's energy washed over her, and she shivered...but wait. She wasn't anywhere near a shard...
At that moment, the Hawk rocked, and the Exile heard the hyperdrive power down as they exited hyperspace. The sensation was stronger now...she reached out with the Force and actually found that the power was coming from across a great distance...following its channel through the Force...she found it led to the planet below. Manaan...

Her eyes snapped open, her senses tingling. She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help it. She wanted the power of that shard. She had to feel it again!
The Exile hurriedly stood, and rushed past the Disciple, Doctor, and Karda, and into the cockpit.
"Atton," she called, coming into the cockpit to see Crystal and Jasra, but a missing Scoundrel. A moment later, his dark-haired head popped in, quickly followed by the rest of him.
"Yeah?"
"Land on the planet."
"What? But wh-"
"Just land. Please."

Writer

01-30-2006, 11:20 PM

Crystal twitched slightly. Then, very slowly, she stood and faced Kira. After a long while of staring into her eyes, Crystal turned to Atton. "Don't land."

Turning back to Kira, she said, "Neither of us should ever have touched that thing," she said. "But I can tell you for sure my reaction is much more favorable at this time than yours. If you insist on Atton's landing on Manaan, I'm leaving. I refuse to be anywhere near that thing... any of them!"

The Doctor

01-30-2006, 11:26 PM

*Crystal,* said the Doctor, entering the cockpit. *We must land. This Key is dangerous, and must be locked away. We need to collect as many of the pieces as possible. Before someone else does.*

Writer

01-30-2006, 11:36 PM

Crystal shuddered and stared at the Doctor. "Yes, I see your reasoning!" she snapped. "Get as many of the pieces together, make it easier for those that want it to get it... to get it all!"

Her expression turned from great anger and fear to reluctance and dislike. "And yet, the only part of my mind that retains sensibility tells me you are right."

She looked to Kira and attempted a smile. "It seems we must both learn to restrain our feelings. I must go along with getting these shards and you must hesitate to touch them." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Can we agree to this, Kira? Together, we can lead the others to the shard, but I don't think either of us should touch it."

Fear crept back into her face. "Land quickly, Atton. Get it over with!" With another convulsive shudder, she left the cockpit.

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 12:04 AM

*Yes, that's another thing,* said the Doctor, *I believe that we should all refrain from touching the Key. It would be best if a droid were to handle them. Either that, or we can use the TARDIS - materialise around them.*

RobQel-Droma

01-31-2006, 12:22 AM

"But what if you and your companions cannot resist the temptation to touch the shard, Doc?" Karda asked. "I think some kind of non-organic being - in short, a droid - would be our best bet. Perhaps we could find one on Manaan."

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 12:37 AM

*Or, even better, we could use the ones we already have,* said the Doctor, smiling. *Now, we need to find a place where we can put the shards where we won't be able to get to them,* said the Doctor, rubbing his chin thoughfully. He snapped his fingers. *I've got it! There is a room in the TARDIS that I can program to only allow a droid to enter. From there, I can also program it to only let a droid alter it's programming further! It's perfect!*

RobQel-Droma

01-31-2006, 01:23 AM

"Good. So, do we have any droids on the ship?"

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 11:44 AM

*Yes, I believe T3-M4 would do nicely. HK-47 is also quite capable, and will do it if ordered,* said the Doctor. *We could use K9, but I'm not comfortable with that. He's not exactly a droid, so I'm not sure how he would react.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 04:17 PM

Kira had to bite back a protest against letting the droids handle the Shards. But I am the only one who can find them! she wanted to shout, And they are mine!! but, with great difficulty, she agreed with the Doctor, not even bothering to ask how he knew about T3 and HK.
"The Doctor's right," she said, choking slightly, "Who knows what would happen if one of us...touched the Shards again..."
I have to fight this! This is NOT how a Jedi should behave!
But it's mine!! I will find them, they belong to ME!!
Damn it, Kira! Get yourself together!! What am I thinking?...
"Take her down, Atton," Kira said, touching the pilot on the shoulder, "I think docking bay 63 is open in Ahto City," she added, after glancing at a screen on the dash.

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 04:20 PM

The Doctor stared at Kira, wondering how she would react to his suggestion that only droids handle the shards. Her jaw was set hard, and he could see a dark fire in her eyes. The fire faded a little, and she said
"The Doctor's right. Who knows what would happen if one of us...touched the Shards again... Take her down, Atton. I think docking bay 63 is open in Ahto City."
*Kira? Are you alright?*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 06:38 PM

"Kira, are you alright?"
The Exile came out of her revier at the Doctor's question.
"Yeah...I'm fine." she said, not entirely sure of the words' truth, "It's...just being so close to a Shard again...so soon..."

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 06:43 PM

*Perhaps you should rest for a while before we disembark. The galaxy can hold itself together for another hour, I'm sure.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 07:04 PM

"No, that's alright." Kira said, shiftering her eyes from the Doctor's scrutinizing gaze, "I'll be fine."
I'm not sure I could sleep anyway. she thought to herself.
"Well, while you two are babbling so intently," Atton said jokingly, "You might want to take a seat."
A moment later explained why. The ship once again rocked as they entered the atmosphere of Manaan.

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 07:17 PM

The Doctor sensed something fundamentally different in Kira - and he didn't like it. He turned to Disciple and said, almost inaudibly *Can I speak to you alone for a moment?*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 07:24 PM

Disciple nodded, and headed back into the security room, signaling the Doctor to follow.
After keying the door closed, the Jedi turned to the Doctor. "What is it?"

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 07:26 PM

*It's about Kira,* he said. *She's... different... since she touched the shard. My telepathic abilities are fairly limited, but I sense something deep inside her has changed - and not for the better.* he sighed deeply. *We should keep an eye on her. The desire to posses these shards... it's powerful.*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 07:35 PM

"I've noticed," Disciple said worriedly, "It's almost as if that shard she touched...left something in her, controlling her. It worries me."

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 07:40 PM

*There must be something we can do to... I don't know... contain this 'influence'. Possibly a mind me- no, wrong galaxy...* the Doctor thought for a moment. *Is there anything you can do for her?*

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 07:49 PM

"Not much," he murmured, "Her mind is too strong for any of us to monitor or influence her thoughts without her knowing, and she won't admit that there's something wrong; she's too proud. The most I can think of is to watch her. And hope that she doesn't slip beyond our influence."

The Doctor

01-31-2006, 07:51 PM

*Alright. Keep an eye on her - I'll do the same, and perhaps we should speak to Atton. He's not begun his Jedi training yet, has he? No, I didn't think so,* he said, not waiting for an answer.

JasraLantill

01-31-2006, 08:27 PM

Jasra quietly slipped out of the cockpit soon after Crystal did. Everyone seemed on edge as they drew closer to Ahto City, and Jasra wanted to get some gear ready.

Back in the main hold, she picked up the Force Pike she had ‘borrowed’ from the wounded bounty hunter at Sig’s cantina. She tested its weight in her hand. It was well-balanced for a merc weapon. She gave it a flourish. Satisfied, she carried it with her into the garage. It was the best spot to observe anyone with intentions on leaving the ship. Like Kira. Whether driven by guilt or something else, Jasra felt compelled to stay by Kira’s side. No matter what.

She went over to the workbench. Reaching into her boot, she took out her dead Master’s lightsaber. She tried to activate it. It flickered and sputtered, and then did absolutely nothing.

Jasra sighed. She hadn’t been far enough along in her Padawan training to have been given the knowledge of how to build a lightsaber, let alone repair one. Nevertheless, she was intent on taking it apart. She picked up the hyrdospanner on the bench and… She frowned slightly. The spanner fit perfectly along the shaft, without any adjustments at all. Perhaps Karda had been working on his lightsaber when she had seen him in here last.

Karda disturbed her. So did Revan. And the Disciple. She always felt worthless in their eyes. They were all reminders of a life she once had. Reminders of goals she had once strived for. And reminders of the pain she had felt when the Jedi abandoned her.

But Kira and Crystal were different. In some ways, Kira still acted like a Jedi, but not all the time. Crystal wasn’t a Jedi, but she carried a lightsaber. But both seemed willing to teach her. And that’s what Jasra needed. More skills. She was a capable fighter, for the most part, but her command of the Force wasn’t strong enough yet to rely on it in battle situations. She ran a finger over the rips in her tunic. Brax proved that easily enough.

She needed to learn more. And at the moment, Kira and Crystal looked like the best candidates for teachers. And, even though she hadn’t touched the shard, she had still felt its Dark radiations. And through this commonality, Jasra felt a growing amount of loyalty towards them.

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 08:47 PM

Kira looked up as she felt a twinge in the Force. The Hawk had finished her entry into the atmosphere, and Atton was currently setting about bringing her in for landing. So, she decided to check it out.
Coming into the garage, Kira leaned against the door frame and watched Jasra study what she assumed was her master's lightsaber. She tried to ignite it, and got nothing but a sputter and some sparks.
"Need some help?" Kira asked.
Perhaps keeping myself busy will take my mind off those Shards... Kira thought....hoped.

JasraLantill

01-31-2006, 08:55 PM

Jasra turned towards Kira, giving her a weak smile. “Help? I don’t even know where to begin.” She handed Kira the lightsaber. “Can it be fixed?” she asked Kira hopefully.

She hoped it could. It was the only part of Master Kelva she now possessed. And Jasra missed her.

ForceFightWMe12

01-31-2006, 09:04 PM

"With the right tools," Kira said, crossing to the workbench, "Anything can be fixed. Now, let's take a look..." she took the lightsaber from Jasra, peering at it. She put it down, and removed its outer casing...

A few moments later, the Exile held up the repaired weapon. "There, good as new. Try it." she said, handing it back to Jasra.

JasraLantill

01-31-2006, 09:18 PM

Jasra gripped the lightsaber in her hand. She held it for a moment, testing the feel of it, before switching it on. It gave off the familiar hum as the green blade shot out.

"Thanks," said Jasra, admiringly. She gave it a flourish. She wasn't as proficient with a saber as she was with a Force Pike, mostly because she hadn't had much instruction. She kept it more for sentimental reasons, not as her weapon of choice. "I'm not sure what you did, but it seems to be working alright. Although..." She looked at Kira's saber hanging from her belt. "I really should test the blade."

RobQel-Droma

01-31-2006, 10:04 PM

"I'll go get HK-47 and/or T3-M3, whichever one you want." Karda said, walking out of the cockpit. He had also noticed Kira's momentary obsession for the Shard again, and it worried him. Whatever that piece had done, it wasn't for the better. Hopefully it could be reversed.

As he walked through the ship, he came across Jasra and Kira at the workbench. It appeared that Kira had just repaired Jasra's lightsaber. Wait... Lightsaber!? Karda stared. Where did she get that? She must have had some contact with the Jedi at one point.

(((Forget this later part of my post, I deleted it - It never happened.)))

JasraLantill

02-01-2006, 05:25 PM

From the corner of her eye, Jasra noticed Karda watching her as she gripped the lightsaber Kira had just repaired for her. Well, noticed wasn’t exactly the right word. Perceived. Sensed. Felt aware. Those were more like it.

She wondered what he was thinking. Hmph! Probably thinking that he should report her as a Sith to the duplicitous Jedi Council on Dantooine. Tell them how she had interfered with their plans for the Exile. That would go over well with those fossil-faced Masters of his! They loved scapegoats, and hated liabilities like half-trained Padawans. And no doubt the more skills she learned on her own, the bigger threat they would think her to be. Stupid Jedi. Thanks to Crystal, at least now Jasra had the skill to repel any unwelcome and painful Jedi mind probing. She hoped.

She turned and glared at him over her shoulder. "What? Are you lost?" she quipped.

ForceFightWMe12

02-01-2006, 05:45 PM

Kira was about to answer Jasra when she noticed her glance over her shoulder.
"What? Are you lost?" she quipped.
Kira turned to the doorway to see Karda. He glanced at her, and whether he knew it or not, the Exile saw the worry in his eyes. She avoided his gaze, deciding instead to become suddenly quite interested in the floor.
He knows what happened in the cockpit. she thought.

RobQel-Droma

02-01-2006, 05:58 PM

"No." Karda replied. Why did she always have to be so touchy? "Is it a crime to stand in one spot?" He was getting a bit annoyed with her responses - He kept trying to calm himself, but he felt like he was losing some of his Jedi discipline lately.

"What about that lightsaber you are working on, wouldn't I be naturally curious as to why you have a lightsaber when you aren't a Jedi?"

JasraLantill

02-01-2006, 06:15 PM

Jasra's jaw set. "If you must know, it is not my lightsaber," she said to Karda. She was reluctant to tell him about her former Master Kelva lest he might have known her. "I... I ... found it when I was on Berrat III."

"Found it. Why would there be a lightsaber lying around on Berrat III?" Karda asked, not accepting her explanation.

ForceFightWMe12

02-01-2006, 06:32 PM

Seeing where this was going, Kira stepped between the two, "We've landed," she said quickly, "Let's go meet with everyone else. We should see if we can come up with a plan for finding this...thing." she said, avoiding Karda's glance again as she mentioned the Shard.

The Doctor

02-01-2006, 06:34 PM

*Well,* said the Doctor to Disciple. It feel's as if we've landed - you'll speak to Atton?*

JasraLantill

02-01-2006, 06:36 PM

Jasra swallowed. "Yes, it was," she said quietly to Crystal. It unnerved her that Crystal now looked so similar to Kelva. And Karda was beginning to make Jasra feel nervous. And she sensed that he was making Kira nervous, too. "Maybe it was lying around because the Jedi who owned it no longer needed it," she replied to him cryptically.

ForceFightWMe12

02-01-2006, 06:49 PM

"I will." Disciple answered before keying the door open again, and proceeding to the main hold.

~*~*~

"Enough!" Kira said, "This conversation is over."

JasraLantill

02-01-2006, 06:58 PM

"Sorry," Jasra apologised to Kira. She took the lightsaber and tucked it back in her boot. "I'm ready to go when you are." She avoided looking at Karda, and stepped behind Kira.

RobQel-Droma

02-01-2006, 06:58 PM

"You know, for denying to be a Jedi, you sure could be one. You have a lightsaber, and you speak cryptically." Karda said. He felt sure that there was more to the story. "But yes, we had better get on Manaan." He walked out.

ForceFightWMe12

02-01-2006, 07:03 PM

"Well," Atton said, flicking away the last bit of a fruit he was munching on as he sat at the edge of the loading ramp, "Welcome to the watery fish planet of Manaan, everyone. Here's a few rules for you first time visitors, don't start fights and don't talk back to the Selkath. Those fish-people are always so touchy..."
Kira continued down the ramp to stand slightly in front of him, gazing around the large dock area. "It's been so long since I've been here..." she breathed in deeply, taking in the salty air that blew in from the open wall of the docking bay.

The Doctor

02-01-2006, 07:07 PM

*Yes, myself as well,* said the Doctor. *I haven't set foot on Mannan in.. oh, a few regenerations. My my,* he said, looking around. *Always wanted to come back. But, you know how it is - you put something off for a day, and next thing you know it's a hundred years later!*

RobQel-Droma

02-01-2006, 07:24 PM

"Unfortunately, I think you are the only one who has had that experience, Doc." Karda said, grinning. "I don't think I'd live that long."

The Doctor

02-01-2006, 07:27 PM

*Yes. Quite,* said the Doctor, embarrassed. *Anyway, I believe we should press on.*

JasraLantill

02-02-2006, 03:16 PM

Jasra inhaled a deep breath of cool salty sea air. It was a welcome change from the recycled air onboard the Ebon Hawk. It was heaven compared to 'fresh air' on Taris.

She'd stopped here once before, nearly five years ago, during the time she was making her way back to Coruscant and the Jedi Temple. But she had never ventured beyond the docking hanger sectors.

She looked around. Yup, this is what she remembered. Everything in the docking port meticulously clean, cool, and organised. All in all, pretty boring.

Her stomach growled. Even though she would go wherever Kira decided to go, Jasra felt she could do with something to eat. She looked at the fruit rind Atton had tossed to the deck being swept away by a cleaning droid. He had had a snack. She couldn't be the only one that was hungry. And cantinas were always a good place to find out what was going on locally.

"So," she asked Kira. "Is there a cantina or something around here? I'm starving."

The Doctor

02-02-2006, 03:20 PM

"Yes, perhaps we should get something to eat before we go looking for the shard," said Nyssa from behind the Doctor. "I'm awfully hungy as well."

3yks

02-02-2006, 03:49 PM

The flight through hyperspace brought him to Manaan just a few minutes after the Hawk arrived. He caught Aton talking witht he docking authorities. And after doing some research on his comp, and a few queries he reliazed that hopping off his ship onto one of these floating cities wasn't gonna happen. So he docked. Making sure to be near enough to the Hawk to get to them easily, but far enough away to not be noticed accidently.

He slipped out of the small ship, and stretched. He'd been getting cooped up in that tiny compartment a lot lately. These people never seemed to stay in one place more than a few hours. He looked around at the place ... decided to slip his cloack off, and changed into some minor battle armor, then pulled some dark brown robes out of a compatment and tugged them on. Pulling his white hair back into a long cord. They would likely still recognize him, but he'd blend in better. He moved toward the Hawk.

He spotted them coming toward him, and slipped into a side passage. His mind rapped up in a cloack to avoid detection. No Revan with them, but the ship would be pretty secured. And Revan had already proved he would run if Brax got the advantage. So he followed this group.

ForceFightWMe12

02-02-2006, 05:42 PM

"Yeah," Kira said, fighting the slight tug of will wanting to go directly after the Shard, "There's a cantina nearby that we can go to. That is, if it hasn't closed down since I was last here."

~*~*~

"We're in luck," Kira said, as the group approached the single cantina in this sector of the city, "It's still open. And it looks as if the swoop tracks are booming."

JasraLantill

02-02-2006, 05:50 PM

Jasra gave Kira a curious look. "I never would have figured you for a race groupie." She flicked her eyes at Atton. "I thought you didn't approve of gambling."

ForceFightWMe12

02-02-2006, 05:56 PM

Kira smiled a devilish smile, "Who said I was a groupie?"

The Doctor

02-02-2006, 07:31 PM

"Isn't being a groupie against some Jedi code or something?" asked Tegan, smiling. "I thought Jedi weren't allowed to do that sort of thing?"

ForceFightWMe12

02-02-2006, 08:32 PM

"What if I said I was a race jockey, rather than a groupie?" Kira asked, smiling, as she entered the cantina.
"A good racer," Atton said, "I can't count how many times one of her races has filled the holes left in repair and supply debts."
"And I can't count how many times I've had to patch her up after one of her races." Disciple commented, obviously disapproving of the sport.
"Oh, c'mon Disciple, it's just a little fun." Kira answered lightly, walking over to the Selkath bar tender. "A round of Juma, if you wouldn't mind." she said in perfect selkath.

The Doctor

02-02-2006, 08:37 PM

*You know, that's the best I've ever heard a human speak Selkath.* said the Doctor, impressed. *Tell me, how do you perorm the sub-vocalizations?*
(( :xp: ))

JasraLantill

02-02-2006, 08:44 PM

"A swoop jockey?" And she speaks Selkath? Kira was sure full of surprises, Jasra thought. "And you raced here? And won? But Manaan is supposed to be one of the toughest tracks in the Galaxy!"

ForceFightWMe12

02-02-2006, 08:58 PM

"No, Nar Shadaa was the worst. On that track, not only did you have to avoid obsticals, but you were racing backwards on the track, which was also shared by other swoop riders. Oh, and we had to beat a droid." Kira said, sipping the Juma Juice that had just arrived. Perhaps if she was distracted with the swoops she wouldn't feel such a large tug on her mind from the Shard. The power was hard to ignore...
"I think it's got something to do with the Force." Atton explained to the Doctor, "Some technique she learned from Revan during the Wars."

The Doctor

02-02-2006, 09:16 PM

*Ah. Of course. Where is Revan, anyway?* he asked, looking around. *I thought he was coming with us?*
"I haven't seen him since we left Taris," said Tegan.

JasraLantill

02-03-2006, 03:42 AM

Jasra snorted in answer to the Doctor's question regarding Revan's whereabouts. "He's a Jedi. He's 'meditating.' Probably in the turrets like last time. Jedi do that a lot." She cast a quick look at Karda, then just as quickly looked away. "Erm...so, I've been told," she added quickly.

3yks

02-03-2006, 04:22 AM

Brax watched them slip into the cantina, a few moments later he ducked in with a small crowd of humans, and selkath. A quick glance around the room spotting them at a table near one wall, he slipped over to his own table, in a palce where he could keep an eye on them. Looking around the place. He hadn't eaten in several days, so decided what the hell, and ordered a bite to eat. He kept his mind active, focusing his invsiiblty just on the small group he was watching. It made it harder, so that if one of them should leave the group, or actively look for him specifically ... it might become a problem.

The Doctor

02-03-2006, 11:38 AM

Revan sat in the turret, in deep meditation.
There is no ignorance......
He received flashes of images. Kira sitting in a cantina, aling with Atton, Disciple, Karda, the Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa.....
there was something else there. He reached out with the Force, willing it to guide his thoughts. He felt the hostile alien mind. He had followed them. Again.
Coming out of the meditation a little faster than his masters would have liked, he jumped down the turret well, ignoring the nausea accompanying the passage through the gravity well. He landed in a crouching position, remove his lightsaber from his belt, and stood, heading for the docking ramp.

RobQel-Droma

02-03-2006, 12:26 PM

"He's been meditating for a while, Revan has had other things on his mind." Karda noticed Jasra give him a brief glance. She then hastily added, "Erm...so, I've been told."

Right, Karda thought, I think you've been more than told. "He'll come out in the city when he feels like he." He added aloud.

RC-1162

02-03-2006, 03:12 PM

(((so, sion, wanna get our charade to meet these guys now? or should we give a great long detail on our journey??)))

The Doctor

02-03-2006, 03:23 PM

((Welcome back, RC! Haven't seen you in here in a while!))

JasraLantill

02-03-2006, 08:23 PM

Jasra felt like there were eyes burning a hole in the back of her head. She assumed it might be Karda, but she wasn’t sure. Either way, she didn’t dare to turn to confront him.

Where’s Crystal? she worried. She’d be able to tell me who’s trying to get into my head. Why didn’t she come with us to the cantina? Is there something about waterworlds she doesn’t like? Or maybe I offended her, she thought.

She hoped not. After all, Crystal had taught her a lot. And saved her life. Sure, she looked a lot like her old master now, but she was still Crystal inside. She wouldn’t abandon her, would she? Old fears began to rise.

Feeling uncomfortable, she politely excused herself from the table. “I’m going to go and place a bet,” she said to Kira. “You obviously know the circuit. Any recommendations?”

Writer

02-03-2006, 08:29 PM

Crystal entered the cantina slowly, eyes darting one way and then another. She was terribly unhappy to be on Manaan, especially since one of the shards of the Key was here. She felt it jeering at her. It knew she wanted nothing to do with it... she couldn't explain it, but the shard seemed to have its own essence, its own personality. It called seductively to Kira; it mocked and jeered at Crystal.

She heard Jasra's intent to bet on a swoop race and shuddered. What a waste of money! Then again, there was the possibility of Jasra's winning the bet. Crystal sighed. That damn shard had played with more than her physical appearance...

She abruptly sat down next to Karda and began working at ignoring everything and everyone around her.

JasraLantill

02-03-2006, 09:01 PM

Jasra relaxed a bit when Crystal sauntered into the cantina. It comforted her to have her near her.

“It feels like someone’s watching me,” she blurted to Crystal through her thoughts. “Or trying to read my thoughts. I’m not sure if it’s Karda. Are you able to…?”

She frowned slightly. She suddenly sensed something was bothering Crystal. Perhaps it was the shard? She flicked her eyes at Kira. Was it affecting Crystal like it was affecting her?

“Everything okay?” she asked Crystal.

Writer

02-03-2006, 09:10 PM

"The shard..." Crystal murmured, staring blankly at Jasra. "It affects me exactly the opposite way it does Kira. It calls to her, challenges her to find it, to take it. For me, it laughs, mocking me..." She shuddered.

"Not to mention my last visit to Manaan didn't go so well..." she added with hesitation.

JasraLantill

02-03-2006, 10:09 PM

Jasra was a bit worried about Crystal. But she wasn’t certain if this was the appropriate time to ask her more about the shard or about her last visit to Manaan. Well, not now at least. Not in front of the others.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Jasra told Crystal. “Just going to place a bet. Have to try and recoup the loss of my ship somehow. Seeing as Togo didn’t pay me,” she added quietly.

She strolled over to the betting lounge to check out the stats on the jockey’s past performances.

RobQel-Droma

02-04-2006, 02:22 AM

Now if I wasn't a Jedi, that would be a nice occupation thought Karda as he watched the swoop racers. He glanced over at Crystal, who was deep in thought. Now where have I seen that face before? Her new face reminds me of someone.

He thought back, just wondering who it was she reminded him of. A Jedi, most likely. Perhaps Master Kyaran? No, not him. He searched through all the different faces he remembered. More like Master, let me see- Kelva, he thought.

Remembering the time when he had met her briefly, his thoughts wondered to the Jedi Civil War, and the Jedi Purge. Wonder what happened to her? And her padawan?

3yks

02-04-2006, 04:37 AM

Brax watched Jasra get up, then pause as Crystal entered, and then move off. It would be hard to include her in his cloack, but he tried ... but he knew it wasn't working right. She would be able to see him if she glanced at him. So he shrugged, and pushed up, and walked toward her. He smirked a bit, and did the opposite of what he had tried at first ... pulling her into his invisiblty, so that the others wouldn't be able to see her very well.

If she realized it was happening she could call out, or something, but she likely wouldn't right away. He moved up behind her int he line to the betting machine. "Long time, Jasra." He said softly, "well, maybe not so long. Don't run, don't scream ... don't alert your friends via whatever private means you have. Just wander over to the table there in the corner that is empty. I want to talk." He moved off, glancing back at her, then taking a seat.

Dylan Klay

02-04-2006, 07:06 AM

His eyes felt heavy with sleep, tracking Dark Jedi was never easy, but easy wasn't for the Jedi. He was dressed in civilian attire, like the locals and kept his Lightsaber saftely hidden. The heavy, modified blaster, set at a crossdraw attracted the most attention anyway. The rumours he'd recieved about this Clir'ence made his skin crawl. Going more off senstations and unctions of the Force, he had found his prey.

Strangely, the Force pulled his attention elsewhere. He could feel a stiring...then, it happened. A woman just vanished out of thin air. Not something you witness every day. That was unusual...why was the Force still calling to him? There was something important happening here....

(sorry, gotta play Marine, will add more later)

JasraLantill

02-04-2006, 09:50 AM

Jasra froze when she heard a hushed voice whisper in her ear. She didn’t have to turn around. The memory of Brax’s voice was very fresh in her mind. Her eyes flicked from side to side. The cantina was crowded. A confrontation here would most likely cause a lot of casualties, especially since most of the sentients in here were unarmed and the Selkath’s laws on weapons were strict. She felt she had no option but to obey him.

She swallowed hard. Quietly, as to not to cause any suspicion to any of the others, she finished placing her bet, then started towards the table that Brax had indicated, just as if she was simply going to watch the race that was about to start.

She frowned slightly as she approached. It was odd that no one seemed to be taking any notice of him. Sure he was wearing inconspicuous clothing and a hooded cloak, but everyone who passed the table seemed to look through him, not at him. Except for her. Strange, she thought. He must be using some form of unusual stealth shield.

She cautiously sat down next to him, her back to Kira and the others, and trying to hide her mounting fear. She couldn’t help but notice the sharp, red claws that softly and rhythmically, tapped on the table. Unconsciously, her hand moved under her cloak to touch the razor-edged slices in her tunic left by her earlier encounter with him. One swipe of those claws and it would all be over for her. But then again, if Brax had just wanted to kill her, he would have done it while she was in the betting line. He was scary, but he wasn’t impulsive. He was purposeful. She knew that from fighting with him. And even though she was afraid, she was also curious. He had said that he had just wanted to talk. She just hoped she wasn't being foolish and he had been lying.

“There are Jedi here,” she quietly stated, in a futile attempt that the knowledge might provide some, if only a little, protection from an attack.

“Yes,” he answered softly, although whether or not his reply was in anticipation of conflict, in acknowledgment of her fear, or merely in simple agreement, she could not tell.

She swallowed, not looking at him directly, but keeping her eyes focused on the swoop track viewing screen. “You wanted to talk to me,” she said bravely, but in a low tone. “So, talk.”

ForceFightWMe12

02-04-2006, 02:45 PM

"The circuit's grown bigger since I was last here..." Atton commented, "There're a lot more racers here than I remember..."
"It doesn't seem to me as if any of them are too skilled, though," Disciple answered, "Their times show that much."
However, the whole conversation seemed to be happening miles away for Kira. She sat with her elbows on the table, the heels of her palms digging into her temples, a far-off look in her eyes. The Shard was calling again. She was able to deny it...but it hurt. It physically hurt. Her head pounded in rythem with her beating heart, causing her concentration to waver.
I have to deny it...I have to hold it off for now...
Pathetic girl...you cannot resist my power...
Her head seemed to errupt with fire. She shut her eyes, doing everything she could to resist screaming out. The heels of her palms dug into the sides of her head, as if that could surpress the onslaught of pain...

The Doctor

02-04-2006, 02:50 PM

*Kira, are you alright?* asked the Doctor, moving towards her. *You look ill. It looks as if the Shard's power is greater than I thought,* he said. *I fear that it's power will destroy her if we don't find it soon.*

ForceFightWMe12

02-04-2006, 02:56 PM

"Damn it!" Kira said, her fist slamming down on the table, "I'm fine! It's a stupid shard, I can handle it!"
Her eyes were still forced shut as visions flew through her mind's eye; swirling water, silver machinery, dark shapes moving through what appeared to be walls of water...
It's begging me to come find it... she thought, And it's showing me where to look.

The Doctor

02-04-2006, 02:59 PM

*I'm sorry, Kira,* said the Doctor calmly. *I'm worried about you. We all are,* he continued.

ForceFightWMe12

02-04-2006, 03:09 PM

Kira stood quickly, angry at herself. "I know," she said between clenched teeth, "But there is nothing you can do for me. The Shard is my responsibility and I have to deal with it. Alone."
And with that, she left the cantina, returning to the Hawk.
I need to think this out, she thought, I need to meditate.
Another wave of power from the shard came over her, pain coming blasting after it. Why is it able to do this to me?? It shouldn't be this strong, it shouldn't have such control over me!

The Doctor

02-04-2006, 03:17 PM

*Perhaps someone should go with her,* suggested the Doctor. *She may not be safe on her own.*